nnSyria began withdrawing troops from the Druze-majority city of Suwayda following intense Israeli airstrikes on Damascus that killed at least three people. The withdrawal comes under a US-brokered agreement to prevent all-out war between Syria and Israel. Syrian state media confirmed the pullout after reaching a ceasefire deal with Druze religious leaders in the region. President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated Syria chose de-escalation to protect citizens despite accusing Israel of trying to divide the nation. The conflict had previously claimed 169 lives and displaced civilians before the truce was implemented.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/16/middleeast/damascus-syria-airstrikes-intl