Syria announces shaky ceasefire after over 160 killed in sectarian violence that drew in Israel

The ceasefire, however, looks to be either shaky or nonexistent in practice, with continued reports of heavy clashes. Government troops entered the Druze stronghold of Suwayda on Tuesday, only to be ambushed and driven back in a counterattack by Druze militias led by the Suwayda Military Council. Many government fighters have been killed or captured, drawing further outrage from Damascus.

Syrian government forces sit on their armored personnel carrier as they withdraw from Suwayda, Syria, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Open-source intelligence analysts reported that a mass mobilization was declared in all of Syria’s governorates despite the ceasefire. Geolocated videos showed that government forces had been pushed out of most of Suwayda by Druze militiamen by Tuesday evening after entering the city

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