The Israeli military has launched strikes against Syrian government forces in southern Syria, specifically targeting military tanks advancing towards the city of Suwayda, a stronghold of the Druze minority. This development comes amid escalating sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes in the region, which have resulted in at least 89 deaths and numerous injuries.
The violence began over the weekend with a cycle of kidnappings and retaliatory attacks, prompting the Syrian government to deploy troops to the area to restore order. However, Israel’s intervention has added a new layer of complexity to the situation, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) vowing to protect the Druze minority in Syria.
According to reports, the IDF struck several tanks deployed by the Syrian army, which had begun operations in Suwayda province to quell the violence. The Israeli military’s actions are seen as a warning to Syrian forces to respect the demilitarized zone and not target the Druze population.
The Druze spiritual leadership had initially allowed Syrian forces to enter Suwayda city to stop the bloodshed, calling on armed groups to surrender their weapons and cooperate with incoming troops. However, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation.
The clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes are part of a larger sectarian conflict in Syria, which has been exacerbated by the country’s ongoing civil war. Israel’s intervention in the conflict highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the region, with the IDF seeking to protect the Druze minority from potential threats.
In recent months, Israel has launched several strikes against Syrian targets, citing the need to protect the Druze population from extremist groups. The Israeli government has made it clear that it will not allow any threats to the Druze, an ethnically Arab group whose faith is an offshoot of Islam.
