Syria ‘s defense minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday, a day after sectarian clashes

Syrian authorities were accused on Tuesday of carrying out "field executions" of civilians in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida, where Israel launched strikes against government forces in what it described as an effort to protect the religious minority.

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday a ceasefire in the Druze-majority city of Sweida of southern Syria, as the Israeli occupation army launched a number of airstrikes on the city. The Syrian Defense Ministry said an agreement has been reached with the city’s “notables and dignitaries” after days of deadly clashes.

A leading Druze spiritual leader accused the Syrian leadership in Damascus of bombarding the southern city of Sweida despite having reached an agreement to quell violence, and he called on fighters to confront Syrian troops entering the city.