Israel, Syria agree to cease-fire as Druze minority, Bedouin clans continue to fight: US envoy

MAZRAA, Syria — U.S. Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said early Saturday that Israel and Syria had agreed to a cease-fire, following Israel’s intervention this week in fighting between Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes and armed groups from the Druze minority.

The announcement came as clashes continued between Druze groups and members of Bedouin clans in Syria’s southern Sweida province, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced in a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Government forces had withdrawn from Sweida following a separate cease-fire agreed upon with Druze groups on Wednesday after Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters and even struck the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in central Damascus.

Israel said it was acting to defend the Druze, who form a substantial community in Israel and are seen as a loyal minority there, often serving in the Israeli military.

Barrack said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the new cease-fire between Israel and Syria was supported Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries and called for “Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors.”