Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes

FE Team | Published: July 15, 2025 21:59:44

Smoke rises as Syrian security forces personnel sit in the back of a pick-up truck while entering the predominantly Druze city of Suweida on Tuesday — Reuters

DRUZE, July 15 (AFP): Israel launched strikes Tuesday against Syrian government forces in the Druze-majority region of Sweida, saying it was acting to protect the religious minority.
Damascus had deployed troops to Sweida after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed more than 100 people.
Israel announced its strikes shortly after Syria's defence minister declared a ceasefire in Sweida city, with government forces having entered the city in the morning.
While most Druze religious leaders supported the deployment, at least one senior figure called for armed resistance.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the Israeli military to immediately strike regime forces and weaponry that were brought into the Sweida region... in order to carry out operations against the Druze," a joint statement said.
"We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria," it added.
In a statement shortly after, the Israeli military said it had begun hitting military vehicles in the area. Syrian state media also reported strikes.
Israel, which has its own Druze population, has sought to portray itself as a defender of the minority group since the overthrow of longtime president Bashar al-Assad in December.
It also says it will not allow a Syrian military presence south of Damascus. Analysts, however, say Israel is using the Druze as a pretext for intervention. Damascus, which recently entered diplomatic talks with Israel, did not immediately comment on the strikes.
"To all units operating within the city of Sweida, we declare a complete ceasefire after an agreement with the city's notables and dignitaries," Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra posted on X shortly before midday (0900 GMT).
"We will respond only to sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups," he added.