Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported on 19/7 that approximately 2,000 Druze in Israel have signed a petition volunteering to fight in Syria if attacks by Bedouin tribesmen and pro-Syrian government forces against the Druze community in Sweida province do not cease.

"We are preparing to volunteer to fight alongside our brethren in Sweida. This is the time we are ready to protect our brothers, homeland, and religion," the statement from the Druze community in Israel said.

Bedouin gunmen on the streets of Sweida on 19/7. Photo: AFP

Bedouin gunmen on the streets of Sweida on 19/7. Photo: AFP

Kan revealed that among the signatories are Israeli reservists. This move has raised deep concerns among Israeli security officials, who are trying to convince the Druze community that the government has an effective plan to intervene in the Syrian situation.

Israeli officials have not commented on the information.

Over 900 people have been killed in Sweida province, southern Syria, in the past week as ethnic conflict between the Druze and Bedouin tribes has escalated significantly.

The situation is further complicated by the Syrian army's attempted intervention, which was met with Israeli airstrikes and forced them to withdraw. Tribal armed groups from across Syria have converged on Sweida to resolve their disagreements, raising international concerns about the possibility of ethnic cleansing.

The US successfully brokered a ceasefire between Syria and Israel on 19/7. The Israeli military will not retaliate when Syrian security forces enter the provincial capital of Sweida to restore order and disarm the militia groups.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who is also the special envoy for Syria, said the agreement is supported by Turkey and Jordan. "We call on the Druze, Bedouin, and Sunni communities to lay down their arms and, along with other minority groups, build a new Syrian identity, united in peace and prosperity with their neighbors," he said.

Location of Sweida province, southern Syria. Graphic: WP

Location of Sweida province, southern Syria. Graphic: WP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the Syrian government to prevent extremist forces from infiltrating and massacring civilians. He also called on Damascus to prosecute and bring to justice "anyone who commits crimes, even within their own forces".

Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said today that all Sunni and Bedouin militias have left Sweida, and clashes in the city have ended.

The Druze are a religious and ethnic community residing primarily in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. It is a distinct religion with similarities to Shiite Islam. Conversion is not recognized, and marriage outside the community is restricted.

Around 140,000 Druze live in Israel, comprising about 2% of the country's population. Between 250,000 and 300,000 Druze also live in Syria, concentrated in Sweida province, and have deep kinship and historical ties with the community in Israel.

Druze in Israel often urge their government to protect their brethren in Syria, even though Tel Aviv has no alliance with the Druze community in the neighboring country.

Thanh Danh (Times of Israel, AFP)