Syrian authorities start to deploy security forces in Sweida

Syrian interim authorities on Saturday began deploying security forces across Sweida province to implement the ceasefire agreement aimed at halting days of deadly sectarian clashes.

The interim government on Saturday declared an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, marking a significant turning point in the deadly clashes in southern Syria which prompted a recent Israeli intervention with massive airstrikes.

In a statement issued Saturday morning, the Syrian authorities said the truce aimed to preserve national unity and ensure the safety of civilians amid "critical circumstances", describing the move as a national and humanitarian obligation.

The authorities called on all parties to cease hostilities and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

The ceasefire agreement involves deploying the country’s Internal Security Forces to separate warring factions and halt hostilities in the first phase, opening humanitarian corridors between Sweida and southern Daraa province in the second, and restoring state institutions and ensuring the gradual return of law enforcement in the third.

The Syrian authorities' have deployed security forces in various regions to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire and maintain public order.

The Syrian authorities have warned against any actions that undermine the ceasefire, stating that such acts will be seen as a violation of Syria's national sovereignty, and that the authorities will respond with necessary measures.

A spokesperson for the Syrian authorities' interior ministry said that the Bedouin tribal armed groups have withdrawn from Sweida City and the conflicts in the city have ceased.

The escalation began on July 13 after armed members of a Bedouin tribe in the countryside of Sweida, a predominantly Druze province, reportedly assaulted and robbed a young Druze man near the town of al-Masmiyah, along the Damascus-Sweida highway. The brutal attack sparked retaliatory kidnappings, spiraling into full-scale clashes between local Druze fighters, government troops, and Bedouin militias.

Israel launched waves of strikes on Damascus and Sweida on July 14 and 16, claiming that its aim was to prevent the Druze minority from being harmed.

Syrian authorities start to deploy security forces in Sweida

Syrian authorities start to deploy security forces in Sweida

Syrian authorities start to deploy security forces in Sweida

South China's Guangdong Province is promoting bird-friendly netting in agricultural fields to protect migratory birds while safeguarding farmers' livelihoods.

Since the beginning of this month, nearly 130,000 migratory birds have arrived in Guangdong, using the region's farmlands, orchards, and fishponds as natural feeding grounds.

This has led to significant crop damage for local farmers.

"Sometimes, over 100 birds descend on our fields. They completely ruin the vegetable leaves, making them unfit for human consumption," said Zhong Jinchuan, a farmer from Huidong County in the province's Huizhou City.

As it is the peak season for winter vegetable planting, many farmers have erected simple anti-bird netting in their fields to protect their crops. However, these nets often pose serious risks to wildlife.

"Once erected, birds could only see the poles. The netting itself isn't always easily visible. If birds fly into it, their claws, feathers, and beaks can become entangled, causing them serious injury," said Li Yi, an official with the Forestry Bureau of Huizhou City.

Recognizing the challenge, local authorities have replaced these harmful nets with safe, bird-friendly alternatives. These new nets feature thicker cords and smaller mesh sizes, which deter birds without trapping them.

"This net uses thicker cords and has smaller mesh openings, so when birds hit it, their feet don't get caught. They just bounce off and fly away. Our vegetables stay safe, and the birds aren't harmed either," said Zhong.

Guangdong has also introduced policies to compensate farmers for crop losses caused by protected wildlife, including migratory birds.

Guangdong promotes bird-friendly netting to protect migratory birds, farm fields