Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida province
The announcement came a day after sectarian clashes that killed dozens, and after a state-run news agency report that Israel had launched a strike in the area.
Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said in a statement that after an 'agreement with the city's notables and dignitaries, we will respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups.'
The clashes began with a series of tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between members of local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province, a center of the Druze community.
Government security forces that were sent in on Monday to restore order also clashed with Druze armed groups. During the day, Israel struck Syrian government military tank and said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan News
41 minutes ago
- Jordan News
Kallas: EU Condemns Any Attempts to Undermine Syria's Stability - Jordan News
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, strongly condemned the recent violence in southern Syria, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties, amid reports of "armed groups carrying out direct attacks against civilians." اضافة اعلان In an official EU statement, Kallas called for a transparent, credible, and impartial investigation into the violations, stressing the need to hold all perpetrators of serious crimes accountable in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law, including through support for relevant international mechanisms. She emphasized the need for full respect of the current ceasefire, urging all parties to immediately halt violence, ensure the protection of civilians without discrimination based on ethnicity or religion, and preserve civilian infrastructure, including religious sites. Kallas also underscored the urgency of curbing incitement and sectarian hate speech. Kallas reiterated the EU's call for all foreign parties—without exception—to respect Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. She condemned any unilateral military actions or efforts to destabilize Syria, whether through military presence, media manipulation, or foreign interference. The High Representative stated that the EU remains committed to supporting its partners in delivering urgent humanitarian aid, calling on all parties, particularly the Syrian transitional authorities, to ensure safe and unimpeded access to life-saving assistance, including healthcare, water, food, and the protection of humanitarian workers. She added that the time has come for dialogue and a peaceful, inclusive political transition that safeguards human rights and meets the aspirations of all Syrians. Kallas affirmed that the transitional authorities bear responsibility for protecting all citizens, disarming combatants, and reforming security forces in line with international standards. Kallas reiterated the EU's readiness to support these efforts, emphasizing its commitment to a Syrian-led political transition owned by the Syrian people. She also recalled the recent easing of some EU restrictive measures as part of a gradual and reversible approach to facilitating this process.
Ammon
5 hours ago
- Ammon
Abbas: Attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty in West Bank is a dangerous escalation
Ammon News - President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine affirmed today that the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring siege, starvation, and deprivation of the most basic necessities of life, constitutes a crime that cannot be tolerated. In a televised address to the people of Gaza, broadcast on Thursday afternoon via Palestine TV, President Abbas said that the Palestinian people are facing the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time, with international efforts failing to deter the Israeli occupation. He questioned, "How can the world abandon its humanity?" President Abbas added that the starvation of civilians and the killings taking place in front of aid centers in Gaza "represent a stain of shame on the forehead of the international community if it does not act immediately to stop this genocide." He stressed that the continuation of this situation amounts to a war crime, for which the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the urgent entry of food and medical supplies, and the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by the Israeli government. The President urged the U.S. President to intervene and allow UN organizations to deliver food and medical aid, calling on the international community to find immediate ways to bring hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian assistance currently surrounding the Gaza Strip into the area. He reaffirmed his rejection of all forms of displacement, calling for the full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces and for the State of Palestine to be enabled to assume full responsibility, assist the people of Gaza in returning to their homes, maintain security, enforce the rule of law, and begin reconstruction with Arab and international support. President Abbas warned that attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over settlement areas in the West Bank represent a dangerous escalation and a serious undermining of the Palestinian people's right to an independent and sovereign state. He urged the international community to reject these violations and to recognize the State of Palestine. He called on the Palestinian people to remain united, resilient, and steadfast under the banner of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in order to thwart all attempts at displacement. He emphasized that the independent and sovereign State of Palestine will be realized on the land of Palestine through unity, perseverance, and adherence to legitimate rights. President Abbas saluted the people of Gaza and in all of Palestine, declaring: "Your patience and steadfastness are an honor for us all and will remain the source of our strength and determination." WAFA
Ammon
5 hours ago
- Ammon
Russian attacks kill two in east Ukraine, 33 hurt in Kharkiv
Ammon News - Two people were killed in a Russian strike on eastern Ukraine on Thursday and at least 33 were wounded when Russian glide bombs struck a residential neighbourhood in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, regional officials said. The Donetsk regional prosecutor's office in eastern Ukraine said the two deaths were in the city of Kostiantynivka, where 12 people were also wounded. In Kharkiv, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a 10-year-old child and a month-old infant were among those hurt when Ukraine's second-largest city was hit by two glide bombs - air-launched munitions fitted with wings and satellite-aided navigation to extend their range and precision. "These are utterly senseless strikes with no military purpose whatsoever," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X. Thick black smoke billowed above the northern district of Kharkiv where a local business and an apartment bloc were damaged. Stunned residents fled, with some clutching children and flames engulfing parked cars. "I looked around and everything was smashed," said Yevhen Hanushchak, holding a crate with his cat outside a damaged apartment building. "Tons of smoke, people running and screaming, grabbing their things." Russia, which denies targeting civilians, has stepped up airstrikes on Ukrainian towns and cities since talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in its nearly 3-1/2 year-old-war in Ukraine stalled this year. Glide bombs have been particularly devastating in areas closer to the battlefield. The regional prosecutors said Thursday's attack was launched nearly 100 km (62 miles) away. Reuters
