Residents of Syria's Sweida reported a fragile calm on Sunday after Bedouin tribal fighters withdrew from the predominantly Druze city, following days of clashes and failed ceasefire attempts. The development comes amid international calls for de-escalation and highlights ongoing challenges in stabilizing the war-torn region.
Local sources confirmed the absence of gunfire Sunday morning, though residents described a "tense" atmosphere. Kenan Azzam, a dentist in Sweida, told Reuters that critical infrastructure remains crippled. "Hospitals are a disaster, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said, emphasizing shortages of water and electricity.
The violence erupted last week between Bedouin and Druze factions, prompting Damascus to deploy troops. However, government forces faced accusations of rights violations and withdrew after Israeli airstrikes and a Wednesday truce. A Saturday ceasefire brokered by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa collapsed within hours, underscoring the difficulty of enforcing authority in Syria's fractured landscape.
Analysts note the clashes reflect deeper tribal tensions exacerbated by Syria's prolonged conflict, with implications for regional security and humanitarian conditions.
