Syria, Druze leaders reach ceasefire deal in Suwayda

The Syrian Ministry of Interior has announced a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in the southern province of Suwayda, aimed at restoring security and stability following weeks of unrest. 

The deal, reached between the government and Druze community leaders, comes in response to demands from local residents and is seen as a significant step towards reintegration of the region into full state control, Caliber.Az reports per Syrian media.

According to the Ministry, the agreement includes a complete halt to military operations, the deployment of internal security forces across Suwayda, and the appointment of local police officers from the province to key security roles. 

A joint monitoring committee comprising state officials and Druze clerics will oversee implementation.

Key elements of the agreement also include:

• An end to all armed clashes and military escalation.

• Respect for private property and civilian life.

• Regulation of heavy weaponry in cooperation with the Ministries of Interior and Defence.

• Full reactivation of state institutions throughout Suwayda.

• Protection of civil rights and promotion of social justice.

• Investigation of recent violations, with compensation for victims and swift legal action.

• Immediate provision of essential services such as water, electricity, fuel, and healthcare.

• Securing the main Damascus–Suwayda highway.

• Disclosure of the fate of the recently detained and disappeared.

The Ministry emphasised the importance of the agreement in restoring trust between the people of Suwayda and the Syrian state, stating:

"Our goal is for Syria to remain united, strong, and safe for all its citizens, including our people in Suwayda, who are and will always be an integral part of this beloved homeland."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based conflict monitor, reported that over 250 individuals have died since the outbreak, including four children, five women, and 138 members of the military and security forces. 

It also stated that at least 21 people were summarily executed on the spot.

By Aghakazim Guliyev