Syrian president urges parties to respect Israel-Syria ceasefire

The Syrian presidency announced on Saturday an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire following days of bloodshed in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida that has left over 700 people dead, according to a war monitor. The US envoy to Syria earlier said that Israel and Syria had agreed to a ceasefire following Israel’s intervention this week in support of Druze armed groups that clashes with Bedouin clans and government forces.Gilbert Achcar, Professor of Development Studies and Internationa Relations at Soas, explains.