Israel has launched air attacks on the forces of the Syrian government that approach the city of Suweida, a predominantly Drusa region in southern Syria, after two days of mortal sectarian violence between the Druzas militias and the Beduine tribes.
The attacks occurred shortly after Syria Defense Minister, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, announced a “full fire” on Tuesday and confirmed an agreement with local dignitaries to display government forces to Suweida in an attempt to quell the disturbances.
However, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had authorized the strikes, claiming that Syrian forces and weapons were destined to use against the druzador. He emphasized Israel's commitment to protect the Druse community, citing his “blood pact” with Druss citizens in Israel and shared heritage with Druss communities in Syria and the heights of the golan occupied by Israelis.
“This is a clear warning for the Syrian regime,” added Israel Katz Israeli Minister Israeli, pointing out that Syrian tanks had also been attacked near the city.
At least 99 people, including 60 Druze, including four civilians, have been confirmed dead in the clashes that exploded on Sunday, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights based in the United Kingdom. According to the reports, the violence was triggered by the kidnapping of a Druse merchant along the Damascus road by the Beduina tribe. In retaliation, the armed Drusos fighters confiscated the Al-Maqwas neighborhood, causing broader clashes that extended through the Suweida field.
The Syrian Interior Ministry had previously described the situation as a “dangerous escalation” and announced plans for the Ministries of Defense and Interior to jointly restore the order.
On Monday, Activist Network Suwayda 24 reported renewed fighting to the west of the city, since drones and mortars attacked the villages. Dozens of victims were brought to local hospitals, and the Syrian Defense Ministry confirmed that 18 security personnel were killed in attacks by “groups outside the law.”
Despite the Fire Alto, the influential spiritual leader Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri released a video on Tuesday by calling the fighters to resist what he described as a “brutal campaign”, accusing the government of raping the truce by bombarding Suweida.
Israeli officials also accused the Syrian government of violating demilitarization policies and representing a threat to Israeli security. Earlier this year, Netanyahu warned against any threat to the Drusant population of Syria and requested the complete demilitarization of Suweida and two other provinces of the south. He also identified the Islamist group Sunita Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, linked to the interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as a regional threat.
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