Middle East: Syrian military declares ceasefire in Sweida – DW – 07/15/2025
After deadly clashes between Druze residents and Sunni Bedouins in Sweida, the Syrian military entered the southern city.
Shortly after government forces entered the city, Syria's defense minister announced a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, in response to the government's intervention, Israel launched military strikes on southern Syria, saying it was a move to protect the Druze community.Foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member nations are meeting in Brussels following a new deal with Israel to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met with EU leaders after agreeing to allow food and fuel into the besieged coastal enclave.
The details of the agreement are still unclear, but EU officials have rejected cooperating with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund due to ethical and safety concerns.
The priority is opening more border crossings and allowing more aid trucks into Gaza, but officials say they eventually want to set up a monitoring station at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
According to Kaja Kallas, the bloc's foreign policy chief, the European Union is seeking updates from Israel on the implementation of the new deal.
Meanwhile, Kallas proposed ten potential steps after Israel was found to have violated a cooperation agreement between Israel and the EU due to human rights violations.
The measures range from suspending the entire agreement to curbing trade ties, sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo and halting visa-free travel.
Despite growing anger over the devastation in Gaza, EU states remain divided on how to address Israel, and diplomats say there is not enough support for any action.
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Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida.
In a statement, he said 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 government intervened due to deadly clashes between Druze and Sunni Bedouin residents.
The latest sectarian violence in Syria began with tit-for-tat abductions and attacks between members of local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups.
On Monday, Syrian government security forces, sent to restore order, clashed with Druze armed groups.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 100 people have been killed in the fighting since Sunday.
Welcome to DW's coverage on the latest developments in the Middle East.
We begin with the escalation in southern Syria where — following clashes between Druze and Sunni Bedouin groups — Syrian government troops entered Sweida, a predominantly Druze city. This prompted Israeli airstrikes.
Meanwhile, foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member nations are meeting in Brussels to discuss a deal with Israel that would increase aid to Gaza.
Stay with us for more news and analysis.
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Germany updates: Companies pledge €631 billion investment – DW – 07/21/2025
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Pakistan lags in AI readiness, but surges in slop content – DW – 07/21/2025
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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The EU's tactic of conditioning development aid on cooperation with its migration objectives is also perceived as exploitative. "Yes, I think that the EU is tying aid to migration control," said Ayuk. "It weaponizes it and it shifts aid from solidarity to self-interest." She said that such an approach "undermines trust and mutual respect" between Europe and Africa. Ejime is also of the view that "Of course, they have always done that…At times they come up with conditionalities when they want to give you any support," he told DW. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While sharply critical of the EU policy shift, the three experts who spoke to DW agreed that African governments bear significant responsibility for the crisis and the tough immigration policies towards their citizens. "Africa is the problem because it lacks the international agency," said Ayuk. "Those that are supposed to represent Africa do not represent the collective interest of Africa, but rather the individual interests of elites."Some experts are calling on African leaders to re-define the terms of negotiations with the EU. "Unfortunately, they are negotiating from a position of weakness. They are weak. The economies are weak. Politically, they are not even popular in their own countries and some of them are corrupt," Ejime said. "In the past, under slavery, Africans were forced to go abroad. Today, young people are the ones running the environment is not conducive." Despite their critiques, the experts believe Africa is not powerless — but maintain that, its strength can only come if it can mobilize political will. "Africa has the potential and leverage exists," Ayuk said, pointing to the continent's resources and regional blocs. "But Africa requires unified leadership and a shift from dependence to a self-defined development." Owusu sees a need to harness technology and ensure effective management of national borders. "Many African countries lack the technology to patrol all their borders… It is very difficult to manage such borders and control the flow of people." However, he warns that the EU's approach could be counter-productive for countries making genuine efforts. As Europe grows more insular in its migration policies, some African countries may begin to pivot toward alternative global partnerships. "With the rise of the BRICS countries and other Global South initiatives," said Owusu. "The more [the West] looks inwards for solutions, the more confrontational their policies become, and the more Africa moves towards the East." 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"Europe must stop seeing Africa as the problem and start treating it as a partner," he told DW. Ejime turns the spotlight back on Africa and the need for effective leadership: "Africa is not zero-poor. It's poorly managed. And has been impoverished by bad leadership." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
