A military official said Tuesday that Syrian government forces have withdrawn heavy weapons from the country’s south, an area where neighboring Israel has called for a demilitarized zone.
"Syrian forces have withdrawn their heavy weapons from southern Syria," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding the process began around two months ago after deadly sectarian violence in Druze-majority Suwayda province.
Israel, which has its own Druze community, used the unrest as a pretext to bomb Syria, claiming it was defending the minority group and pressing its demands for the demilitarization of southern Syria.
Separately, a diplomatic source in Damascus told AFP on condition of anonymity that the heavy weapons withdrawal includes the country's south up to about 10 kilometers (six miles) south of the capital.
Last week, President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria was negotiating with Israel to reach a security agreement that would see Israel leave areas it occupied after the overthrow of longtime dictator Bashar Assad.
