Syria’s Interior Ministry has denied reports that its forces re-entered the southern province of Suwayda to contain escalating clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes, state-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported on Friday.

The statement came just a day after interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed the withdrawal of state forces from the violence-stricken region.

“There is no truth so far to what is being circulated about the entry of Ministry of Interior forces to resolve the conflict in Suwayda,” a security source told the channel.

Fighting broke out Sunday between armed Druze groups and Sunni Bedouin tribes, prompting the Syrian army and affiliated paramilitary groups to intervene. The army managed to seize most of Suwayda, which had been under Druze control since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December.

After days of heavy fighting and mounting casualties, a ceasefire was announced by the Defense Ministry following talks with Druze leaders. However, Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hajari claimed the agreement was reached under pressure and warned that the community was facing “extermination.”

Reports indicate that US mediation, combined with Israeli backing for the Druze, led to the Syrian army’s decision to withdraw. Nevertheless, clashes have continued despite the ceasefire, and the situation remains volatile.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), nearly 600 people have been killed since the outbreak of violence, with almost half of the victims from Suwayda. The humanitarian crisis in the province is deepening, with reports of a near-complete water cutoff, severe food shortages, and a lack of medical supplies. (ILKHA)