Tel Aviv [Israel], July 15 (ANI): Israel bombed Syrian government forces advancing into the Druze-majority city of Sweida in southern Syria, following days of deadly ethnic clashes, in a rare direct strike on forces loyal to Damascus’ new leadership, Israeli officials confirmed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that they had ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to strike Syrian forces and weapons approaching Sweida “following the attack on the Druze,” just a day after Israeli tanks fired warning shots at Syrian armour.
The Israeli air and artillery attacks coincided with Syrian troops entering Sweida to quell violence between the local Druze community and Bedouin clans, which has left nearly 100 dead since Sunday. Fighting also erupted briefly between government troops and armed Druze factions, who control much of Sweida but remain distrustful of Syria’s new Islamist leadership.
Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra later declared a ceasefire, posting on X: “To all units operating within the city of Sweida, we declare a complete ceasefire after an agreement with the city’s notables and dignitaries.”
While most Druze religious leaders have called on fighters to disarm and allow government forces to restore order, some remain wary of Damascus’ intentions.
“Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel, and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria,” the statement by Netanyahu and Katz said. They further stressed that the presence of Syrian forces and weapons violated the demilitarisation policy that prohibits deployments in southern Syria which could threaten Israel.
The IDF confirmed targeting “several armoured vehicles, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, multiple rocket launchers, as well as access routes” to disrupt their approach to Sweida on Monday night. An Israeli defence official described the strikes as “exceptionally large-scale,” calling it a test of Israel’s commitment to protecting the Druze and maintaining the demilitarisation of its border region.
The violence in Sweida erupted Sunday after Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vegetable vendor, sparking retaliatory kidnappings and firefights. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least 99 dead — including 60 Druze, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 Syrian security personnel, and seven others. These figures could not be independently verified.
Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba downplayed sectarian motives, telling the Associated Press: “The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community. On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project.”
However, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a senior Druze spiritual leader in Sweida, publicly opposed the entry of security forces and called for “international protection” for the community.
In Israel, the Association of Druze Discharged Soldiers and Reservists urged Netanyahu to provide further military and humanitarian assistance, citing “brutal attacks by extremist terror organisations.”
“There is an unending series of massacres, kidnappings, looting, and harm to innocent civilians — women, children, and the elderly alike,” the group said in a statement.
The fighting comes amid growing concerns about religious minority rights under interim Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who replaced Bashar al-Assad last December. Many Druze residents fear reprisals and discrimination under his Islamist-led government.
“We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same,” said Amal, a 46-year-old Druze woman in Sweida, reflecting a widely shared sentiment among the community.
(ANI)
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