In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara has declared an immediate ceasefire in the Sueda province following a week of violent clashes between government forces and rival Bedouin and Druze fighters. This announcement comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions, with recent violence claiming 718 lives and displacing tens of thousands. The ceasefire coincides with a separate agreement between Israel and Syria after Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus, purportedly to protect the Druze minority straddling both nations.

The situation in Sueda remains precarious, as President al-Shara condemned the Israeli intervention while pledging to safeguard the country’s minorities. However, skepticism looms over the ceasefire’s longevity, given the history of failed truces in the region. Local factions, including the Druze and Bedouin communities, have expressed deep mistrust toward the new government, raising doubts about compliance with the ceasefire.

As government forces move into Sueda to maintain order, the president’s authority is under scrutiny. Many Syrians feel that their government is losing control, with foreign powers conducting airstrikes at will. The ceasefire, brokered with U.S. assistance, aims to quell Israeli aggression, but it remains to be seen whether it will hold or lead to further unrest.

DW correspondent Aya Ibrahim reports from Beirut, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the potential for renewed conflict if local factions reject the ceasefire. The stakes are high as al-Shara grapples with the challenge of unifying a deeply divided Syria. The international community watches closely, aware that the fragile peace in Sueda could either pave the way for stability or plunge the nation back into chaos.