ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Syrian Presidency late Friday announced authorities are working to deploy “a specialized force” to the southern city of Suwayda in an attempt to bring an end to the bloody sectarian conflict which has claimed hundreds of lives in under a week.

Clashes continue between Bedouin tribal fighters and members of the Druze community in Suwayda, despite the Syrian government announcing a truce in the province on Wednesday.

In a statement on Friday, the Syrian Presidency said they were following the events in Suwayda “with deep concern and regret,” saying the escalations have directly endangered the lives of civilians.

“Attacking peaceful families, terrorizing children, and violating people’s dignity in their homes are condemned and rejected by all moral, legal, and humanitarian standards, and will not be accepted under any pretext or justification,” read the statement, reiterating that Syria is a state for all its people, regardless of their affiliations.

“Relevant authorities are working to dispatch a specialized force to break up clashes and resolve the conflict on the ground, in parallel with political and security measures aimed at consolidating stability and ensuring the return of calm to the province as quickly as possible,” the statement announced.

The presidency called on all parties in Suwayda to practice self-restraint, and urged citizens to “reject calls for escalation” and unite to overcome the ongoing crisis.

The Syrian health ministry on Friday said that at least 260 people have been killed and nearly 1,700 injured in the clashes in Suwayda. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) put the death toll at 718.

The clashes in Suwayda have prompted frequent Israeli strikes on Syria in recent days, claiming it is in support of the Druze minority. At least three people were killed and 34 others injured in an Israeli attack on central Damascus on Wednesday.

US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, announced early Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have agreed to a ceasefire, supported by Washington.

“We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity building peace and prosperity with their neighbors,” wrote Barrack on X.