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France urges all sides to respect Syria ceasefire - Region

France urges all sides to respect Syria ceasefire - Region

Al-Ahram Weekly19-07-2025
France's foreign ministry on Saturday called on all parties to respect a ceasefire announced for Syria's Sweida province, where clashes between tribal and Druze fighters have continued despite the truce.
The deal between the Islamist-led government and Israel, brokered with international mediation, was announced by Washington early Saturday Damascus time.
"France welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in the Sweida region. It urges all parties to strictly adhere to it," the ministry said. "Fighting and violence must cease immediately."
AFP correspondents reported ongoing clashes in the west of the provincial capital, where Druze fighters continued to battle armed Bedouin supported by tribal gunmen from other parts of Syria.
More than 900 people have been killed in Sweida since Sunday, as sectarian clashes between Druze and Bedouin escalated into a wider conflict, drawing in the government, Israel, and armed tribal groups from across Syria.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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