Latest news with #Ahmadal-Dalati
Euronews
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Syrian Druze leader accuses government of breaking ceasefire
A leader of Syria's Druze religious minority has accused the government of violating a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting deadly fighting between local militias and factions in the country's southern Sweida province. The clashes began over the weekend with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between members of local Sunni Bedouins and Druze armed factions in Sweida, a hub of the Druze community. Dozens of people have died and thousands have been displaced. Government security forces that were deployed to the city of Sweida — the provincial capital — on Monday to restore order also clashed with Druze armed groups. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said on Tuesday that at least 100 people had died in the fighting, including two children and 16 members of the security forces. In the early hours of Tuesday, the Druze spiritual leadership called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities as they entered the city. The initial statement called for armed factions in Sweida to "cooperate with the forces of the Ministry of Interior, not to resist their entry, and to hand over their weapons". The commander of Internal Security in Sweida Governorate, Ahmad al-Dalati, welcomed the statement and called for "all religious authorities and social activists to adopt a unified national stance". However, just hours later, influential Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri — who has been opposed to the new government in Damascus — released a video message saying that the minority's previous statement had been "imposed" on them by Damascus. "They broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians," al-Hajri said in the video message. "We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation," he said, urging Druze "to confront this barbaric campaign with all means available." Videos shared on social media showed armed fighters with Druze captives, inciting hateful slogans and beating them. Euronews could not independently verify the videos. Shortly after al-Hajri's video message was published, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra issued a statement announcing that a total ceasefire was in place, saying "we will respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups". Israeli intervention Clashes have on several occasions broken out between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in early December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Sunni insurgent groups. The latest round of fighting has raised fears of another spiral of violence, and also fuelled concerns about escalating Israeli intervention. The Israeli army said in a statement on Tuesday that it had struck several military vehicles in the Sweida region. An earlier joint statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country was committed to protecting the Druze in Syria and was taking action to "prevent the Syrian regime from harming them". Israel has previously intervened in Syria in defence of the Druze minority. In Israel, Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. The Druze — a group that split from Ismaili Shi'ism in the 10th century — are concentrated in Sweida and in certain Damascus suburbs such as Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya. During Syria's 14-year civil war, Druze factions formed their own militias and have remained largely self-governed. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus.
Shafaq News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Ceasefire agreement reached in Suwayda
Shafaq News – Suwayda Syrian authorities announced a full ceasefire in the city of Suwayda on Tuesday, following days of deadly clashes between local factions and tribal groups. In a statement, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra ordered all units operating inside the city to halt fire after an agreement was reached with community elders and local dignitaries, though forces would respond 'only to direct attacks or sources of gunfire from outlaw groups.' The announcement came as security units entered Suwayda, a move confirmed by Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, Head of Internal Security in neighboring Daraa, who urged residents to "remain calm" and cooperate with state institutions. Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri later publicly disavowed an earlier statement that had welcomed the deployment of Interior and Defense Ministry forces. 'The statement was imposed on us by Damascus and foreign powers,' he said, accusing the government of breaking its promises and calling on locals to resist the forces of transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa. 'Recent bloodshed in the province highlighted the urgent need for official institutions—especially security and military forces—to reassert control,' the leadership said in a statement, urging renewed efforts to reactivate state structures in cooperation with local professionals. Clashes initially erupted on Sunday after a reported robbery targeting a merchant on the Damascus highway escalated into kidnappings and armed confrontations. However, the fiercest fighting broke out Monday morning, when Bedouin groups—reportedly supported by elements from the Defense and Interior Ministries—launched an assault from eastern rural Daraa, targeting several villages in Suwayda's western countryside. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence left at least 116 people dead, including 64 residents of Suwayda and 52 from Bedouin tribes, government troops, and unidentified individuals in military uniforms. Dozens more were wounded, including children, some in critical condition. #المرصد_السوري خلال 48 ساعة مقتل 116 شخص في اشـ ـتـ ـبـ ـاكـ ـات #السويداء.. والأطراف الـ ـمـ ـتـ ـصـ ـارعـ ـة تتوصل إلى وقف إطـ ـلاق نـ ـار في المحافظة — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) July 15, 2025 In response, army and security units deployed across the province in an attempt to contain the fighting and protect civilians—marking the first time government forces have entered the city since al-Sharaa took office in December.
Arab Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Syria's Druze Heartland Hit by Clashes and Shelling
BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria (AP), July 15: Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday. 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. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. State-run news agency SANA did not give any details about Tuesday's strike. However, the Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel struck a tank belonging to the Syrian military as forces began to move in deeper into Sweida city. There was no immediate statement from the Israeli military. Earlier Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities as they entered the provincial capital of Sweida. One of the main religious authorities later released a video statement retracting the call. The initial statement called for armed factions in Sweida to 'cooperate with the forces of the Ministry of Interior, not to resist their entry, and to hand over their weapons to the Ministry of Interior.' The statement also called for 'opening a dialogue with the Syrian government to address the repercussions of the events.' The commander of Internal Security in Sweida Governorate, Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, welcomed the statement and called for 'all religious authorities and social activists to adopt a unified national stance that supports the Ministry of Interior's measures to extend state authority and achieve security throughout the province.' Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in a video message that the previous statement by Druze leaders had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but 'they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians.' 'We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation,' he said. Some videos on social media had showed armed fighters with Druze captives, inciting sectarian slogans and beating them. The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981.
Leader Live
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Ceasefire announced after dozens killed in Syrian sectarian clashes
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. Defence 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 centre 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 a Syrian government military tank and said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. State-run news agency SANA did not give any details about Tuesday's strike. However, the Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel struck a tank belonging to the Syrian military as forces began to move in deeper into Sweida city. Earlier on Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities as they entered the provincial capital of Sweida. One of the main religious authorities later released a video statement retracting the call. The initial statement called for armed factions in Sweida to 'cooperate with the forces of the Ministry of Interior, not to resist their entry, and to hand over their weapons to the Ministry of Interior'. The statement also called for 'opening a dialogue with the Syrian government to address the repercussions of the events.' The commander of Internal Security in Sweida Governorate, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, welcomed the statement and called for 'all religious authorities and social activists to adopt a unified national stance that supports the Ministry of Interior's measures to extend state authority and achieve security throughout the province'. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in a video message that the previous statement by Druze leaders had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but 'they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians'. 'We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation,' he said. Some videos on social media had showed armed fighters with Druze captives, inciting sectarian slogans and beating them. The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in 1981. Clashes have on several occasions broken out between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar Assad in early December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups.
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Ceasefire announced after dozens killed in Syrian sectarian clashes
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. Defence 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 centre 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 a Syrian government military tank and said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. State-run news agency SANA did not give any details about Tuesday's strike. However, the Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel struck a tank belonging to the Syrian military as forces began to move in deeper into Sweida city. Earlier on Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities as they entered the provincial capital of Sweida. One of the main religious authorities later released a video statement retracting the call. The initial statement called for armed factions in Sweida to 'cooperate with the forces of the Ministry of Interior, not to resist their entry, and to hand over their weapons to the Ministry of Interior'. The statement also called for 'opening a dialogue with the Syrian government to address the repercussions of the events.' The commander of Internal Security in Sweida Governorate, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, welcomed the statement and called for 'all religious authorities and social activists to adopt a unified national stance that supports the Ministry of Interior's measures to extend state authority and achieve security throughout the province'. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in a video message that the previous statement by Druze leaders had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but 'they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians'. 'We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation,' he said. Some videos on social media had showed armed fighters with Druze captives, inciting sectarian slogans and beating them. The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in 1981. Clashes have on several occasions broken out between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar Assad in early December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups.
