On 14/7, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detected several tanks advancing toward Sweida in southern Syria and carried out airstrikes to halt their progress.
The IDF stated, "The presence of military equipment in southern Syria poses a potential threat to Israel. We will not permit a military threat in southern Syria and will act to prevent it." They added that they would continue monitoring the area.
While the IDF did not specify which force the tanks belonged to, the Syrian army is moving towards Sweida to quell clashes between the Druze minority and Bedouin tribes.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the airstrikes a "clear warning" to the Syrian government that Tel Aviv will not allow harm to come to the Druze people.
Men of Dignity, a prominent Druze faction in Sweida, reported that influential figures are negotiating with Syrian security forces and the army to find a resolution. Druze religious leaders called for a ceasefire on the evening of 14/7, affirming they are not opposed to the Syrian government.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader in Sweida, objected to the presence of government forces and appealed to the international community for protection.
A long-standing feud exists between the Bedouin and Druze communities in Sweida, occasionally erupting into violence.
The current violence began on 13/7 after Bedouin gunmen kidnapped a Druze merchant on the highway to Damascus, leading to retaliatory kidnappings. Although the hostages were released, fighting continued on the outskirts of Sweida on 14/7, with several villages targeted by mortar fire.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK, reported 99 fatalities, including 60 Druze, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel, and 7 unidentified uniformed individuals.
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Location of Israel, Syria and Sweida province. Graphics: WP |
The Druze are an offshoot of Islam with adherents in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Approximately 140,000 Druze live in Israel, comprising about 2% of the population. Many serve in the Israeli military, making them an influential minority group.
Tel Aviv emphasizes the significant contribution of the Druze community to Israel's security, with many having died while serving.
The Druze community in Israel maintains strong familial and historical ties with the community in Syria. They often urge the Israeli government to protect their "brethren" in Syria, despite Tel Aviv lacking a formal alliance with the Syrian Druze community. Israeli officials have previously warned of intervention to protect the Druze in Syria.
Pham Giang (Theo AFP, Times of Israel)
