Government forces that were initially sent to restore order but effectively sided with the Bedouins against the Druze were redeployed to halt renewed fighting that erupted Thursday in the southern province of Sweida. The violence also drew airstrikes against Syrian forces by neighboring Israel before a truce was reached.

Video showed government forces on the streets of a predominantly Druze city and smoke billowing across roads as gunfire sounded.

Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time. Enter your email Sign Up Loading... Syrian officials and leaders of the Druze religious minority announced a cease-fire deal on Wednesday to end days of deadly clashes in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda.