Sat Jul 19 01:10:12 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**US Announces Syria-Israel Ceasefire, Supported by Key Regional Players**

**Washington D.C.** – A ceasefire between Syria and Israel has been brokered, according to U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack. In a post on X early Saturday, Barrack stated the agreement was “supported” by the United States and “embraced” by Turkiye, Jordan, and other neighboring countries of Syria.

The announcement follows days of escalating tensions marked by Israeli air strikes and sectarian violence in Syria’s southwestern Suwayda region. Israel claims the strikes were aimed at protecting the Druze minority in Suwayda, where deadly clashes have erupted between Druze and Bedouin armed groups, as well as Syrian government forces.

Prior to the announced ceasefire, an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated Israel had agreed to allow “limited entry” of Syrian internal security forces into Suwayda for a 48-hour period, citing “ongoing instability” in the region. Just days before the ceasefire announcement, Israel launched air strikes targeting Syria’s Ministry of Defence in Damascus and government forces in Suwayda.

Ambassador Barrack called “upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors”.

The ceasefire announcement comes after previous attempts at mediation. A ceasefire agreement between Druze leaders and the Syrian government, mediated by the US, Turkiye and Arab countries, had been reached before the Israeli strikes killing at least three people and wounding 34.

While there has been no official comment from either Syrian or Israeli officials, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated earlier that protecting Druze citizens was a priority, and though Syria would prefer to avoid conflict, it was not afraid of war. Heavy fighting again flared up on Friday between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in Suwayda.

Read More