Israel has taken a step towards a ceasefire! The army is withdrawing from Suwayda.

16.07.2025 23:50

A development that raises hopes for a ceasefire occurred as Israel conducted airstrikes on Damascus, using the conflicts in Suwayda as a pretext. The Syrian army has begun to withdraw from Suwayda, which has been the scene of clashes between the Druze and Arab Bedouins.

Israel, using the conflicts between Druze and Arab Bedouins in the city of Suwayda, Syria, as an excuse, launched an attack. The Israeli army carried out airstrikes on the Syrian capital, Damascus.

ISRAEL'S AIR STRIKE ON DAMASCUS

Israeli planes targeted critical points in Damascus. In the initial strikes, the General Staff Headquarters was targeted, while in subsequent attacks, the Presidential Palace was hit. The moments of the General Staff Headquarters being struck, which was the target of multiple attacks, were captured on camera during live broadcasts by Syrian news channels. After the attack, thick smoke rose from the compound. The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that 6 people lost their lives and at least 28 were injured in the airstrikes carried out by Israel on Damascus.

SYRIAN ARMY WITHDRAWING FROM SUWAYDA

As the clashes suddenly intensified, an important step was taken for a ceasefire. The Israeli army began to withdraw from Suwayda. In a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Defense, it was said, "The withdrawal from Suwayda is taking place in accordance with the agreement reached after the disbandment of illegal groups."

SYRIA: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST TAKE URGENT MEASURES

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the Israeli attacks. In a statement, it was said, "This blatant Israeli attack is part of a systematic policy aimed at increasing tension and creating chaos. We hold Israel completely responsible for the consequences of this dangerous escalation. Syria will defend its territory and people by all means necessary. We call on the international community to take responsibility and urgent measures to put an end to Israeli attacks."

DERA ALSO TARGETED ALONG WITH DAMASCUS

Israeli warplanes targeted the Gabgab and Musbin regions of the city of Dera in southern Syria at 18:40 local time. The warplanes also struck the 100th Brigade compound located in the Katana area of the suburbs of Damascus at 19:15 local time.

US SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO: WE WANT THE CONFLICTS TO END

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at a signing ceremony for the Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the State Department. When asked about Israel's attacks on Syria, Rubio said, "I just spoke on the phone with the relevant parties. We are very concerned about this, and I hope we will receive some updates later today." Rubio, who stated, "We want the conflicts to end," noted that a ceasefire was achieved overnight, but they were "still very concerned."

KATZ: ATTACKS WILL INTENSIFY

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated in a post on X that their attacks on Syria would intensify. Katz threatened the Damascus administration with more severe attacks if the Syrian army did not completely withdraw from Suwayda in the southwest of the country.

Addressing the Druze in Israel, Katz said, "You can trust the Israeli army to protect your brothers in Syria," claiming that they would fulfill their commitment to "protect the Druze" alongside Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

NETANYAHU: DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER, ALLOW THE ISRAELI ARMY TO ACT

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also addressed Israeli Druze in a video message shared on his office's X account. Claiming that the situation in southwestern Syria is very serious, Netanyahu reminded that the Israeli army has been conducting attacks under the pretext of "protecting the Druze."

Netanyahu urged the Druze, "I have a request from you. You are Israeli citizens. Do not cross the border. You could be killed or taken captive." He argued that the Druze were putting their lives at risk by crossing the border, saying, "Return to your homes, and allow the Israeli army to act."

ISRAELI STATE TELEVISION: MESSAGE TO SHARA

In a news report aired on Israeli state television regarding the attack on Damascus, it was stated, "Israel launched an attack on Damascus as a message to the Syrian President (Ahmed Shara) following the Druze massacre in Suwayda."

SYRIAN PRESIDENCY: WE HAVE BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE SAD VIOLATIONS

The Syrian Presidency shared a message regarding the events in Suwayda, stating:

"The Syrian state has been closely monitoring the sad violations that occurred in some areas of Suwayda province in recent days. These actions fall within the scope of criminal and illegal behaviors and are absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances, and they are in direct contradiction to the principles upon which the Syrian state is based.

As the Syrian government, we strongly condemn these heinous acts and commit to investigating all related incidents, holding accountable every individual or party proven to be involved in these events—whether an individual or an externally sourced organization. We will never allow such acts to go unpunished."

US AMBASSADOR BARRACK'S CONDEMNATION STATEMENT

US Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barrack stated in a post on X, "We absolutely condemn the violence against civilians in Suwayda. Period. All parties must step back and initiate meaningful dialogue that will lead to a lasting ceasefire, and the perpetrators must be held accountable."

ISRAELI ARMY: PERSONS COMING FROM SYRIA WERE STOPPED

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that it had prevented individuals coming from Syria at the border line in the Golan Heights following the events in Suwayda, where Druze were at the center.

In a statement from the Israeli army, it was noted that individuals attempting to cross the border from Syria in the Hader area of the Golan Heights were detected. The Israeli army prevented the passage of individuals in the area and worked to disperse the crowd.

TENSION HIGH IN THE REGION DUE TO DRUZE AND BEDOUIN TRIBES

Israel has increased its attacks on Syria recently, citing security threats to the Druze population in the south as justification. The Tel Aviv administration had announced that it would activate "military deterrence" against harm to Druze communities.

EVENTS ERUPTING IN SUWAYDA

On July 13, clashes began between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze armed groups over mutual abductions in Suwayda province, Syria.

The Damascus administration had dispatched security forces from the Ministries of Defense and Interior to the region to stop the clashes.

Violent clashes also occurred between the security forces entering Suwayda on the morning of July 15 and local groups. Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Kasra announced a ceasefire in Suwayda but stated that they would respond to any attacks or gunfire from illegal groups.

Hikmet al-Hicri, one of the spiritual leaders of the Druze, initially approved the entry of government forces into the city but later reversed this stance a few hours later, calling on the people of Suwayda to resist against government forces.

Israel has been conducting airstrikes around Suwayda in Syria since yesterday under the pretext of "protecting the Druze."