Overview

• Syrian government troops started pulling back from the Druze-majority city on July 16 as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered after days of deadly clashes.
• The Israeli military has carried out repeated air strikes on Syrian army positions near Damascus and along the Golan Heights to enforce its demilitarization policy and protect the Druze community.
• Human rights monitors and local witnesses accuse regime forces of committing summary executions and widespread pillaging of Druze civilians during their deployment.
• The US State Department and the European Commission have urged all sides to uphold the ceasefire and guarantee the safety of noncombatants in Soueïda.
• Interim authorities led by Ahmed al-Chareh face mounting challenges to contain sectarian militias and restore order in the volatile province.