At the final checkpoint before the ‘dangerous’ road to Suweida city

Bedouin fighters positioned outside the southern Syrian city of Suweida have told the BBC they will observe a ceasefire with the Druze community there, but have not ruled out resuming hostilities.

The Bedouin fighters have retreated from the city to surrounding villages in the province after a week of deadly sectarian clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouins and government forces, with Israel carrying out air strikes in support of the Druze.

Dozens of government security personnel, all heavily armed, continue to block the Bedouin from re-entering the city of Suweida.

The Bedouin fighters want the release of injured Bedouin people still in the city, who they refer to as hostages. Otherwise, they say, they will force their way past the checkpoint and head back into the city.