Syrian forces have withdrawn from the southern city of Suwayda after reaching a new ceasefire deal with armed groups in the Druze-majority region. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the deal seeks to end days of sectarian violence that was exacerbated when Israel attacked Syrian forces in Suwayda, siding with Druze fighters.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Israeli attacks on Damascus Wednesday rose to three people, with dozens of others wounded. The strikes blew up part of the Syrian Defense Ministry, sending a huge column of debris and smoke high into the air in scenes that were broadcast on live TV. Israel also bombed a facility near the presidential palace. President Sharaa condemned the Israeli strikes.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa: “Israel, which has been targeting our stability and creating discord among us since the fall of the former regime, is now seeking to once again transform our pure land into an arena of endless chaos. It seeks to dismantle the unity of our people and weaken our ability to move forward in the process of reconstruction.”