The Syrian Islamist-led government announced a ceasefire in Sweida following deadly factional violence. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa praised international mediation while criticizing Israeli airstrikes.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced a "comprehensive" ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida after nearly a week of violence that left hundreds dead. The government said on Saturday that it was redeploying security forces in the province and called for all parties to refrain from further violence.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa asserted on Saturday that only the Syrian government has the authority and ability to restore order and safeguard na

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday confirmed that a ceasefire has been agreed on in the southern Druze-majority province of Suwayda, where days of clashes between armed Druze groups and Sunni tribes have killed hundreds.

For its part, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced this morning that “a state of cautious calm prevails in the city of Sweida, following violent clashes that erupted and continued until the early hours of the morning between local Druze groups and tribal gunmen in villages located on the Damascus-Sweida road.”

Syrian president vows state will protect its Druze minority, hold those behind the violence accountable; dismisses efforts to drag Syrians into hands of any 'external party'

Israeli bombing and government’s apparent complicity in sectarian clashes have damaged efforts to unify country

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa credited U.S., Arab, and Turkish mediation—led by President Donald Trump—for halting a full-scale war between Syria and Israel following intense Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting the Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority", as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.

“We came here to work,” said Ismael Abu Al Khayer, who’s in charge of community relations. He portrayed Damascus as backward compared to Idlib. “We have electricity, food and water, and high-speed internet. We have modern cars. You can pay bills by phone. It is an electronic government,” he said, referring to his former city.

Under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure, Ahmed al-Sharaa pulled troops from Syria's Druze heartland -- a move that exposes the interim leader's weakness just as he sought to assert control.