Syrian authorities completely withdraw their forces from Sweida.

Syrian authorities have completely withdrawn their forces from the southern province of Sweida, witnesses told Agence France-Presse. This coincided with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's announcement that Druze factions would be responsible for security and his condemnation of Israeli intervention.

The agency's correspondent said that government forces completed their withdrawal at dawn.

In a speech delivered early this morning, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa accused Israel of "creating strife within Syria," adding that its actions "have escalated the situation (in the Sweida Governorate)."

"We are now faced with two choices: either confront Israel or reform our internal front," Sharaa said, adding, "We will confront attempts to create chaos with unity... Syria will not be a place for chaos... and we will not allow Syria to be dragged into a new war." The Syrian president stressed his rejection of "any attempt to divide Syria," asserting that "the Druze are part of the fabric of the nation, and their protection is a priority." He also noted that "local factions and elders have been tasked with maintaining security in Sweida."

Clashes erupted on Sunday in the Sweida province between Druze militants and other Bedouins, leaving a number of people dead. As the clashes intensified, government forces announced their intervention in the province on Monday to break up the clashes. Israel entered the confrontation line, launching a series of raids near Damascus and in southern Syria, claiming it was working to "protect the Druze." Yesterday evening, Syrian authorities announced an agreement had been reached with Druze factions in Sweida for a ceasefire.