Syrian interior ministry forces began deploying in Sweida on Saturday under a US-brokered deal intended to avert further Israeli military intervention in the Druze-majority province.Israel had bombed defence ministry forces in both Sweida and Damascus earlier this week to force their withdrawal after they were accused of summary executions and other abuses against Druze civilians during their brief deployment in the southern province.

Syrian authorities have accused Druze militias of obstructing vital humanitarian aid from reaching the southern province of Sweida, deepening the crisis in a region already grappling with deadly sectarian violence and political instability.

According to Al Ra’i, an Amman daily, the Internal Security chief in As-Suwayda announced that detained Bedouin families would be released within hours and assured that they would return to their homes, emphasizing a continued commitment to respecting the ceasefire and ensuring calm.

A Syrian military official said correspondence with the US had led Damascus to believe it could deploy forces to Sweida without Israel confronting them. The Syrian presidency announced on Saturday an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire following days of bloodshed in the predominantly Druze area that has left over 300 people dead.

Syrian government forces have started withdrawing from the southern province of Sweida following days of vicious clashes with militias from the Druze minority.

Syria's Druze have reached a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government in Sweida that will take immediate effect, Druze religious leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou said in a video broadcast by state media on Wednesday.