Sweida without transitional government forces…Latest situation

After midnight on Wednesday, Thursday, forces affiliated with the transitional government in Syria began withdrawing from the city of Sweida, in compliance with conditions imposed by Israel, which included "a complete military and security withdrawal, along with equipment, from Sweida and its countryside."

Israeli media quoted Israeli military and security sources as saying that Israel launched its airstrikes against Syria to prevent the transitional government's security and military forces from entering southern Syria and to protect the Druze community. They stated that Israel did not cease the bombing until it received a promise from the transitional government to completely withdraw from Sweida and its countryside.

Israeli media reported last night that estimates indicate that the head of the transitional government in Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, will declare a ceasefire and withdraw his forces from Sweida in the south of the country.

This morning, the head of the transitional phase in Syria announced that local factions and Druze community leaders would assume responsibility for maintaining security in Sweida, implicitly recognizing the community's autonomous-administration in its areas after his forces withdraw. This announcement demonstrates an attempt to establish a kind of undeclared recognition of the community's self-control over its security and administration.

On the ground, ANHA correspondent in Sweida reported the withdrawal of transitional government forces from the city and its countryside, and the deployment of local Druze armed groups. The latter managed to arrest a number of members of the former when they attempted to storm civilian homes, including those of foreigners.

Sh-S

ANHA