Syrian defense ministry says soldiers have started withdrawing from Druze-majority Sweida

Syrian soldiers began withdrawing from Druze-majority Sweida on Wednesday, the Syrian defense ministry says, hours after the announcement of a new ceasefire agreement in the violence-hit city.

The Syrian army “has begun withdrawing from the city of Sweida in implementation of the terms of the adopted agreement after the end of the sweep of the city for outlaw groups,” a defense ministry statement said, without mentioning the withdrawal of any other government security forces deployed to the city.

Syrian government forces entered Sweida on Tuesday with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed on with Druze community leaders after clashes with local Bedouin tribes left more than 100 people dead.

However, witnesses reported that the government forces joined with the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians in a bloody rampage through the city.

In total, the number of dead was said earlier this evening to have surpassed 300.