In brief
A renewed commitment to peace emerges as President Ahmed al-Shara addresses the nation.
The Syrian government declared a cease-fire on Saturday as it seeks to stabilize the conflict-ridden southern province of Sweida. This announcement follows a spate of sectarian violence that has resulted in hundreds of casualties, precipitated by involvement from neighboring Israel. In a televised address, President Ahmed al-Shara stated that the country has reached a “dangerous turning point” and emphasized the need for calm amidst ongoing upheaval.Earlier in the day, U.S. special envoy to Syria, Thomas J. Barrack Jr., proclaimed a breakthrough, announcing that Israel and Syria had come to an agreement for a truce. Barrack urged armed groups in Syria, including Bedouin fighters and the minority Druse community, to cease their hostilities. Confusion remains regarding the differences between this new cease-fire and a previous one announced earlier in the week. On that occasion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. had engaged with all parties to facilitate a resolution. Reports surfaced that government forces began withdrawing from Sweida, seemingly bringing the worst violence to a halt, though sporadic clashes still persist in some areas.
