Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire following Israeli military intervention in southern Syria, where government forces have been embroiled in violent clashes with Bedouin tribes and armed Druze groups, news agency AP reported. The announcement on the ceasefire was made by United States envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack.

The development comes as fierce fighting continues between Druze factions and Bedouin clans in Syria’s southern Sweida province. The ongoing violence has triggered a major humanitarian crisis, displacing tens of thousands of people and disrupting access to essential services.

Earlier this week, Syrian government forces had pulled back from Sweida under a separate truce with Druze factions, after Israel conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Syrian military convoys and even struck the Syrian Ministry of Defence headquarters in Damascus. Israel stated its actions were aimed at protecting the Druze minority—who are also a significant and loyal community within Israel, many of whom serve in the Israeli military.