Media: Syrian army to stay outside Suwayda after sweep operations VIDEO

On July 15, the Syrian Ministry of Defence announced that the army will remain outside the city of Suwayda following the completion of military sweep operations.

Speaking to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, Colonel Hassan Abdel Ghani, spokesperson for the Ministry, confirmed the redeployment of forces and the handover of city security to internal police, Caliber.Az reports.

Colonel Abdel Ghani stated that the return of government institutions to Suwayda is underway and that the military police will be deployed within the city to maintain discipline and monitor conduct. He also affirmed that the armed forces would continue pursuing what the ministry described as “outlawed groups” operating in the vicinity.

The Defence Ministry urged Suwayda residents to report any movements by these groups, which are said to be retreating into the city centre. Abdel Ghani reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ending what he called “senseless clashes” and confirmed that 18 army personnel were killed in recent attacks by armed groups.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared a ceasefire agreement in Suwayda and confirmed the army’s withdrawal of heavy weaponry and reduction of troops in the region. He emphasised that any future attacks by outlawed groups would be met with a military response.

According to Syrian state news agency, Abu Qasra stated: “All military units in Suwayda city are to observe a complete ceasefire following agreements with local dignitaries.” He added that internal security forces would take over neighbourhoods following their clearance and that the deployment of military police is intended to ensure accountability among troops.

This development follows initial government troop deployments in Suwayda after days of violent clashes—the first such presence since President Ahmed Al-Sharaa took office following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December last year.

The Ministry of Interior echoed the message, insisting the aim of the army’s presence is to protect civilians and restore order. A curfew has also been imposed across Suwayda “until further notice.”

Government forces began entering Suwayda after prominent Druze leaders, who had previously opposed Syrian military presence in the city, urged local fighters to disarm and cooperate with the authorities.

Over 100 people have been killed in escalating violence across Syria's Suwayda governorate, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The dead include 60 Druze, four of them civilians, along with 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel, and seven unidentified individuals in military uniforms. Syria's Defence Ministry confirmed 18 of the fatalities were armed forces members.

A curfew was imposed on the city in the aftermath of the violence. The unrest is rooted in long-standing tensions between Druze and Bedouin factions in the region.

On July 15, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Suwayda following the Syrian army's entry into the predominantly Druze city. Israel has publicly vowed to protect Syria’s Druze minority, whom it views as potential allies.

By Aghakazim Guliyev