The Syrian government began evacuating Bedouin families trapped in Sweida today, after a week of clashes between government forces and a local religious community in the region in the south of the country.
Hundreds of people have been killed and 130.000 internally displaced in attacks between Druze and Sunni Bedouins, according to the United Nations (UN) migration agency (IOM).
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Dalati told the state news agency SANA that authorities had formed a security cordon near Sweida to secure the area, and fighting there had officially ceased yesterday.
Buses carrying Bedouin families left Sweida today, accompanied by ambulances and the Arab Red Crescent, while a government delegation with another aid convoy was denied entry into the city.
The London-based non-governmental organization Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that, as part of the agreement, Bedouin fighters will have to release Druze women, who are currently being held captive.
After hostage exchange talks collapsed late last night, the observatory and activist groups in Sweida reported hearing what they said were Israeli airstrikes.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharah has vowed to hold perpetrators of targeted attacks and other violations of the law accountable.
More than 500.000 Druze live in Syria, and they are also present as a religious minority in Lebanon and Israel.
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