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 fighting that has killed hundreds of people, state media and witnesses said.

Busra Al-Harir, Syria — 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.

Government aims to move some 1,500 Bedouins out of city after a week of deadly clashes with Druze; officials say Damascus will also allow displaced residents to return