Government security forces agreed with some of the Druze factions that they would re-enter the area to impose stability and protect state institutions, according to two Syrian officials
Heavy smoke rises from a burning building as fighters from Bedouin tribes gather in al-Mazraa village, in Syria's southern Sweida governorate on Friday. PIC/AFP
Fresh clashes broke out overnight between the Druze minority armed groups and members of Bedouin clans in southern Syria, prompting government forces to deploy again to the area on Friday after pulling out under a ceasefire agreement that halted several days of violence earlier this week, officials said.
Government security forces agreed with some of the Druze factions that they would re-enter the area to impose stability and protect state institutions, according to two Syrian officials who spoke to AP on Friday on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
Syrian government forces had largely pulled out of the southern province of Sweida – that primarily houses Druze population – after days of clashes with militias linked to the religious minority that threatened to unravel the country's fragile post-war transition.
The conflict drew airstrikes against Syrian forces by neighboring Israel in defense of the Druze minority before most of the fighting was halted by a truce announced Wednesday that was mediated by the United States (US), Turkey and Arab countries. Under that agreement, Druze factions and clerics would be left to maintain internal security in Sweida, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said on Thursday.
The clashes initially began between Druze militias and local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes on July 13 before government forces intervened and took the Bedouins' side against the Druze. The fighting killed hundreds of people over four days, with allegations that government-affiliated fighters executed Druze civilians and looted and burned homes.
Israel intervened, launching dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters and striking the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in central Damascus in a major escalation of its involvement.
The Druze form a substantial community in Israel, where they are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the Israeli military.
After the ceasefire and withdrawal of government forces, clashes once again flared between the Druze and Bedouin groups in parts of Sweida province. State media reported Druze militias carried out revenge attacks against Bedouin communities, leading to a wave of displacement.
The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shia Islam. More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria.
The community is also spread across Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981.
(With AP inputs)
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