Israel launched strikes against Syrian government forces on Tuesday in the Sweida region of southern Syria, citing the protection of the Druze minority and a commitment to keeping the area near its border demilitarised.
A Reuters reporter heard at least four strikes as drones could be heard overhead and saw a damaged tank being towed away from the city, where bursts of gunfire were heard as violence entered a third day.
The upsurge in violence in the predominantly Druze city marks the latest challenge for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in a corner of Syria where Israel has vowed to protect the Druze minority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military “to immediately strike regime forces and weaponry that were brought into the Sweida region … for the regime’s operations against the Druze,” they said in a statement.
“Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherhood alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel,” they 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.
Earlier on Tuesday, an influential Druze leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, issued a statement accusing Syrian government forces of breaching a ceasefire and bombarding the city, and called on fighters to confront government troops.
Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra later issued a statement declaring that a complete ceasefire was in place, and saying government forces would only open fire if fired upon.
(With inputs from Reuters)
