Their mission is to control the situation: Syrian soldiers have entered the Suweida region, where many people have lost their lives in clashes between Druze and Bedouin. Fears of an escalation are growing.
In Syria, government troops have advanced towards the town of Suweida, which is mainly inhabited by the Druze. This was confirmed by residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights to the dpa news agency. Shortly afterwards, the Damascus government announced a ceasefire.
According to Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Kasra, a "complete ceasefire will be implemented after an agreement with the dignitaries" in Suweida. "We will only respond to fire and deal with attacks from banned groups," he told the state-run Sana news agency. This applies to "all units" of Syrian government troops.
Druze spiritual leaders in Suweida welcomed the arrival of the troops. In a statement, they called on Druze militias to lay down their arms and cooperate with the troops. Prominent figures in the area are working to implement the ceasefire.
More than 100 deaths in recent days
According to the Observatory, more than 100 people have been killed and 200 others wounded, including children, in clashes between members of the Druze minority and Sunni Bedouins since Sunday. The latest figures bring the death toll to 89.
It all started when Bedouins set up a checkpoint in the area and attacked and robbed a young Druze man. Kidnappings between Druze and Bedouins followed, and eventually, violence.
Growing concerns about new clashes
Government troops are trying to regain control of the area, but concerns are growing about renewed fighting. According to the Observatory, which monitors the Syrian conflict from London with a network of activists, troops have been shelling the area with rockets and mortars. Some of them have landed in residential areas.
He warned of a "repeat of the scenario on the Syrian coast." This is referring to the violence in March, when, according to the Observatory, around 1,500 people were killed in the fighting, including many civilians.
Six months ago, former ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power in Syria. In 2011, he had plunged the country into a civil war that lasted more than a decade.
The new government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa is working to restore stability to the country. However, in recent months there have been clashes between ethnic groups and militias, as well as terrorist attacks./ DW (A2 Televizion)
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