Negotiations are underway between Syrian authorities and Druze representatives in southern Syria to halt the fighting that has left around 100 people dead, one of the main Druze armed groups told AFP on Monday evening.
Syrian government forces are advancing toward the city of Sweida, held by Druze fighters, following clashes since Sunday with Bedouin tribes in the region.
"Talks are ongoing between notables in Sweida and representatives of the Ministry of Defense and General Security forces to reach a solution," Bassem Fakhr, spokesperson for the Men of Dignity Movement, told AFP.
On Monday evening, Druze religious authorities in Sweida called for a ceasefire in a statement, saying they were not opposed to the central government.
Bassem Fakhr accused Bedouin fighters of taking part in the government offensive against Druze towns and committing abuses: "They kill, burn, and loot," he said.
According to him, five localities near Sweida have fallen into the hands of government forces.
By Monday afternoon, government troops, having sent major reinforcements to the area, took control of Al-Mazraa, a Druze village on the outskirts of Sweida, according to an AFP correspondent.
These forces, backed by tanks, deployed in the village, where Bedouin tribal fighters were also present.
Fakhr noted that his group was not opposed to the government forces and that, along with other Druze armed factions, it had reached an agreement months ago with the Ministry of Defense to establish a military and security entity composed of Sweida’s own sons to control the city under government oversight.
"We stand with the state, but the state delayed implementing the agreement," he said.
In January, his group and the other major Druze faction, the Mountain Brigade, had declared their readiness to join a new national army, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad a month earlier by a coalition of rebels.
AFP
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