Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus and hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has members in Lebanon and Israel.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced a "comprehensive" ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida after nearly a week of violence that left hundreds dead. The government said on Saturday that it was redeploying security forces in the province and called for all parties to refrain from further violence.

Damascus believed it had tacit approval to restore control in Sweida; Israeli airstrikes followed reports of troop abuses, as U.S. mediation helped broker a limited ceasefire.