Syrian forces withdraw from Suwayda after Israeli strikes, rising death toll
Syrian army withdraws from Suwayda following deadly clashes
Syrian Druze leader vows to continue battle to 'liberate' Suwayda
Israeli military strikes Syrian army headquarters in support of the Druze
Israel strikes Damascus during Rudaw live coverage
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday praised the 'effective' mediation by the United States, Arab states, and Turkey in helping prevent a wider escalation with Israel, following Israeli airstrikes in central Damascus. He further declared the withdrawal of Syrian state forces from the Druze-majority province of Suwayda after days of deadly clashes that have left hundreds dead, according to a war monitor.
In a televised speech, Sharaa said Syria is now engaged in a 'national battle' to preserve its unity in the face of what he described as 'the Israeli entity's attempts to destabilize Syria and sow discord among its people.' He claimed these efforts have been ongoing since the fall of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, with aims of plunging the country into 'endless chaos.'
Sharaa commended 'the effective intervention by American, Arab and Turkish mediators which saved the region from an unknown fate,' crediting their efforts with preventing 'an open war with the Israeli entity at the expense of our Druze community and their security, and the destabilization of Syria and the broader region.'
The Syrian interim president's remarks came a day after Israeli airstrikes targeted the General Staff Command Building of the Syrian Armed Forces in central Damascus. The incident took place during a live broadcast by Rudaw's correspondent Solin Mohammedamin. The footage showed powerful explosions striking the military complex
In a statement on X, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) 'attacked the Syrian regime's General Staff headquarters.' He claimed the building was serving as a command center from where 'Syrian regime commanders manage the fighting and deploy regime forces' to the predominantly Druze Suwayda province in southern Syria.
'An aerial target was also attacked near the Syrian Presidential Palace,' Adraee added.
The strikes came shortly after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Damascus would face "painful blows." Israel Katz vowed that the IDF will 'operate forcefully in Suwayda to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until their complete withdrawal.'
Israel has in recent months reiterated its commitment to protecting the Druze community in Syria, with whom it says it shares 'strong ties.' Moreover, it has repeatedly acted to prevent the establishment of any significant military presence in southern Syria near its border, citing security concerns.
Suwayda clashes
Fighting between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes erupted Sunday in Suwayda, prompting a large deployment of forces from Syria's defense and interior ministries, along with affiliated armed factions.
However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Thursday reported an initial death toll of 360 in the deadly clashes, including 107 from Suwayda and 207 government forces.
The UK-based war monitor also reported grave human rights abuses, including the field execution of at least 27 people, as well as 'widespread violations' by regime-affiliated forces against civilians and local fighters.
Amid the escalation, the Syrian Druze preeminent spiritual leader, Hikmat al-Hajari, vowed on Wednesday that the community would continue fighting until the full withdrawal of regime forces. A day earlier, he had warned that the Druze population faced the risk of 'extermination.'
Damascus-aligned forces had entered the province following days of inter-communal violence between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes. A ceasefire was later announced by the Syrian defense ministry, reportedly after an agreement with Druze leaders - though clashes continued after.
Syrian withdrawal
In his televised speech on Wednesay, Sharaa defended the government's actions in Suwayda, claiming that the state intervened 'with full resolve and determination' to end the bloodshed. He accused unnamed 'outlaw groups' of rejecting dialogue with Damascus for months, without identifying them.
He announced that the Syrian government has 'decided to entrust some local factions and the [Druze] spiritual leaders with the responsibility of maintaining security in Suwayda,' and to withdraw its forces.
'We faced two options: an open war with the Israeli entity or entrusting Druze dignitaries and spiritual leaders with the responsibility of maintaining security in Suwayda,' he said, adding, 'We chose the path of national interest.'
Addressing the Druze community directly, Sharaa said, 'I dedicate this speech to our Druze compatriots, an authentic part of the mosaic of this homeland. Syria will never be a place of division or civil war.'
He concluded by pledging accountability of 'those who transgressed and harmed our Druze people,' whom he vowed 'will remain under the protection and responsibility of the state.'
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