Syrian state media reported Israeli strikes near the Syrian Druze-majority city of Sweida on Thursday, the first attack on the area after Syrian government forces withdrew following clashes with local fighters.
"Israeli occupation aircraft carried out a raid on the outskirts of Sweida city," said Syria's state-run SANA, according to news agency AFP.
Syrian forces had withdrawn from Sweida earlier on Thursday after deadly clashes with Druze fighters accompanied by Israeli strikes and diplomatic pressure to retreat from the area.
The reported strikes come a day after Israel launched rare airstrikes deep into Damascus, targeting Syria’s military headquarters and a site near the presidential palace.
Israeli officials said the strikes were aimed at protecting Syria's Druze minority amid escalating violence in southern Syria.
What’s happening in Sweida?
Clashes erupted in the majority-Druze city of Sweida earlier this week between Druze armed groups and Syrian government forces. Witnesses claimed that Syrian troops, instead of enforcing a ceasefire, sided with Bedouin tribes against Druze fighters and civilians.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 300 deaths in Sweida province since Sunday, including 27 Druze civilians allegedly executed by Syrian forces. Videos and images showed looted homes and abuse of Druze religious figures.
Syrian state media announced a renewed ceasefire on Wednesday after an earlier attempt failed, deploying security checkpoints across Sweida city. However, sporadic gunfire continued, raising doubts over the truce’s effectiveness. Humanitarian concerns rise Eyewitness accounts from Druze civilians described fears for family members trapped in Sweida. Communication blackouts made it difficult to confirm the safety of residents, with reports of burned homes and executions.
Druze leaders labeled the conflict as an “existential battle” for their community. Internationally, the United States, France, and the European Union condemned the violence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “deep concern” over reports of civilian attacks.
Background: Sectarian tensions and Israel’s role
The Druze, a religious minority with a population of about one million globally, are mainly based in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Syria, their relationship with successive governments has been complex. Since the Islamist-led government replaced Bashar al-Assad last December, ethnic and religious minorities like the Druze have feared marginalisation.
Israel, wary of Islamist forces near its borders, has intensified airstrikes on Syrian military targets. Israeli officials view their actions as both a protective measure for the Druze and a strategic move to prevent hostile forces from establishing presence near Israeli-held Golan Heights.
"Israeli occupation aircraft carried out a raid on the outskirts of Sweida city," said Syria's state-run SANA, according to news agency AFP.
Syrian forces had withdrawn from Sweida earlier on Thursday after deadly clashes with Druze fighters accompanied by Israeli strikes and diplomatic pressure to retreat from the area.
The reported strikes come a day after Israel launched rare airstrikes deep into Damascus, targeting Syria’s military headquarters and a site near the presidential palace.
Israeli officials said the strikes were aimed at protecting Syria's Druze minority amid escalating violence in southern Syria.
What’s happening in Sweida?
Clashes erupted in the majority-Druze city of Sweida earlier this week between Druze armed groups and Syrian government forces. Witnesses claimed that Syrian troops, instead of enforcing a ceasefire, sided with Bedouin tribes against Druze fighters and civilians.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 300 deaths in Sweida province since Sunday, including 27 Druze civilians allegedly executed by Syrian forces. Videos and images showed looted homes and abuse of Druze religious figures.
Syrian state media announced a renewed ceasefire on Wednesday after an earlier attempt failed, deploying security checkpoints across Sweida city. However, sporadic gunfire continued, raising doubts over the truce’s effectiveness. Humanitarian concerns rise Eyewitness accounts from Druze civilians described fears for family members trapped in Sweida. Communication blackouts made it difficult to confirm the safety of residents, with reports of burned homes and executions.
Druze leaders labeled the conflict as an “existential battle” for their community. Internationally, the United States, France, and the European Union condemned the violence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “deep concern” over reports of civilian attacks.
Background: Sectarian tensions and Israel’s role
The Druze, a religious minority with a population of about one million globally, are mainly based in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Syria, their relationship with successive governments has been complex. Since the Islamist-led government replaced Bashar al-Assad last December, ethnic and religious minorities like the Druze have feared marginalisation.
Israel, wary of Islamist forces near its borders, has intensified airstrikes on Syrian military targets. Israeli officials view their actions as both a protective measure for the Druze and a strategic move to prevent hostile forces from establishing presence near Israeli-held Golan Heights.
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