Damascus: All parties in Syria have agreed to pause violence as of 5 pm Damascus time (1400GMT) Sunday, the US special envoy for Syria announced. "All parties have navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities," Tom Barrack wrote on X.

According to Anadolu Agency, the envoy emphasized that containing escalating hostilities requires an agreement to pause violence, protect civilians, allow humanitarian access, and step back from danger. He noted that the next step towards lasting de-escalation is a comprehensive exchange of hostages and detainees, with logistics currently underway.

Clashes first erupted on July 13 between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups in Suwayda, southern Syria. The violence soon intensified, accompanied by Israeli airstrikes, including on Syrian military positions and infrastructure in Damascus. Israel justified its actions by citing the protection of Druze communities as necessary.

Most Druze leaders in Syria, however, have publicly opposed any foreign interference and have reaffirmed their commitment to a unified Syrian state. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December, Israel stepped up its air campaign in Syria and declared the buffer zone between the two countries defunct, alongside the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Bashar al-Assad, who had led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, marking the end of the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, was established in January.