The Syrian government announced a ceasefire Tuesday after it intervened to quell the deadliest outburst of sectarian violence since March, clashes that prompted Israeli airstrikes.

The ceasefire, however, looks to be either shaky or nonexistent in practice, with continued reports of heavy clashes. Government troops entered the Druze stronghold of Suwayda on Tuesday, only to be ambushed and driven back in a counterattack by Druze militias led by the Suwayda Military Council. Many government fighters have been killed or captured, drawing further outrage from Damascus.