Syria says security forces preparing to redeploy to Sweida, after presidency claimed Druze violated truce

Syrian security forces are preparing to redeploy to the Druze-majority Sweida city to quell fighting by the Druze and Bedouin tribes, the Syrian interior ministry spokesperson says, just a little over a day after they withdrew from the area.

The announcement comes after the Syrian presidency accused Druze fighters of violating the ceasefire that had led to the withdrawal of government forces.

The Syrian army had entered Sweida earlier this week amid sectarian fighting between Druze and Bedouins, which reportedly began after Bedouin gunmen assaulted a Druze vegetable vendor on Sunday.

However, witnesses reported that the government forces joined with the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians in a bloody rampage through the city, which was said to have left more than 300 dead.

Government forces withdrew from the city on Wednesday night, saying they had reached a ceasefire with local Druze forces.

But fighting in Sweida appears to have continued, with a Bedouin military commander telling Reuters that Bedouin fighters had launched a new offensive against Druze fighters.

The commander said the truce only applied to government forces and not to them, and said the Bedouin fighters were seeking to free Bedouins detained by Druze armed groups in recent days.

Israel has warned the Syrian government that it will not allow its forces to venture further south than Damascus.