The Syrian government has begun evacuating Bedouin families from Sweida after over a week of violent clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin fighters.

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Hundreds of Bedouin civilians were evacuated from Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Monday as part of a U.S.-backed truce meant to end days of bloodshed in southern Syria,

Around 1,500 Bedouins are set to be evacuated from the conflict-hit province of Sweida, following a deal brokered by the Syrian government. Local officials told dpa that an initial group of about 350 people,

The Syrian government on Monday started evacuating Bedouin families trapped inside the city of Sweida, where Druze militiamen and Bedouin fighters have clashed for over a week.

The Syrian government has begun evacuating over 1,500 Bedouins from war-torn Sweida following deadly clashes with Druze militias that killed 260 in a week. Red Crescent and security forces are escorting evacuees to Daraa as ceasefire talks continue.

Sectarian-tinged clashes left hundreds dead and drew in Israeli military intervention. A U.S. envoy said Israel and Syria had agreed to a truce.

Clashes that shook southern Syria this week have killed hundreds of people, including civilians, and drawn in an array of both local and international players, harking back to the dynamics of the country’s nearly 14-year civil war.