The Latest Breaking News from Sweida

The Syrian government announced Thursday that local leaders would assume control over security in the city of Sweida in an attempt to end violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and prompted Israel's military intervention in support of the Druze minority.

France has called for an immediate end to what it described as “abuses targeting civilians” in the Syrian city of Sweida, following reports of summary executions and other violations allegedly committed by government forces.

The mainly Druze residents of the Syrian city of Sweida had hoped the arrival of government forces on Tuesday would spell an end to deadly sectarian clashes with local Bedouin tribes.

Injured government soldiers and civilians were treated after Syrian troops moved into the city of Sweida and surrounding areas after clashes broke out between Druze militiamen and Sunni Bedouin tribes in southern Sweida province.

Fighting erupts in the Druze-majority Sweida city in southern Syria

The unrest in Syria's Sweida province began with tit-for-tat kidnappings between members of the Druze minority and Sunni Bedouins.

Syria’s defense minister has announced a ceasefire after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday

Syrian government forces entered the majority Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday, the interior ministry said, aiming to end clashes with Bedouin tribes that have killed nearly 100 people.

Israel targets state forces entering south of Syria after sectarian clashes, while other strikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley leave 12 dead