Israel’s military struck the Syrian defense ministry in Damascus and government forces in southern Syria for a third day on Wednesday, as deadly sectarian fighting in the mostly Druze province of Suweida continued, the BBC reports.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “working to save our Druze brothers”.” Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of causing a “large-scale escalation.”
More than 350 people are reported to have been killed since Sunday, when clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in Suweida.
The Syrian military reportedly began to withdraw its forces from Suweida late on Wednesday, as the US said it had agreed “steps” to end the violence.
“We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X.
Syria’s state news agency, Sana, reported that troops were leaving Suweida as part of an agreement between the government and the Suweida’s religious leaders, following the “completion of the army’s pursuit of outlaw groups”.
The Syrian foreign ministry said the country “welcomes the efforts made by the US and Arabian sides” to “resolve the current crisis” peacefully.
Israel has not yet commented on the ceasefire efforts.
