Israeli forces have conducted air strikes against Syrian government positions in the Sweida area of southern Syria. This action comes in response to what Israeli officials describe as a threat to the local Druze population. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have issued a statement confirming the operation, citing a commitment to protect the Druze minority.
Our correspondent in the region reports hearing at least four distinct strikes, accompanied by the sound of drones overhead. Visual confirmation includes a damaged tank being removed from the vicinity of Sweida city, where sporadic gunfire continues for a third consecutive day.
Sweida, a predominantly Druze area, has become a focal point of tension between Syrian government forces and local inhabitants. Israel, which has a significant Druze population of its own, has expressed a vested interest in the welfare of their Syrian counterparts.
This development follows earlier reports of unrest in Sweida. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, a prominent Druze leader, has accused Syrian government forces of violating a ceasefire agreement and called for armed resistance against them.
The Syrian Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, has announced the implementation of a complete ceasefire, stating that government forces will only return fire if attacked. However, the Israeli government maintains that its intervention is necessary to ensure the demilitarization of the border area and protect the Druze population.
These events raise important questions about the stability of southern Syria and the potential for further regional involvement in the ongoing Syrian conflict.