JERUSALEM: Israel carried out strikes in opposition to Syrian authorities forces within the Sweida area of southern Syria on Tuesday (Jul 15), saying it was performing to guard the Druze minority and vowing to make sure the realm close to the Israeli border remained demilitarised.
A Reuters reporter heard a minimum of 4 strikes as drones might be heard overhead and noticed a broken tank being towed away from the town, the place bursts of gunfire have been heard as violence entered a 3rd day.
The upsurge in violence within the predominantly Druze metropolis marks the most recent problem for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in a nook of Syria the place Israel has vowed to guard the Druze minority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Protection Minister Israel Katz instructed the navy “to right away strike regime forces and weaponry that have been introduced into the Sweida area … for the regime’s operations in opposition to the Druze”, they mentioned in an announcement.
“Israel is dedicated to stopping hurt to the Druze in Syria because of the deep brotherhood alliance with our Druze residents in Israel,” they mentioned. “We’re performing to stop the Syrian regime from harming them and to make sure the demilitarisation of the realm adjoining to our border with Syria.
Earlier on Tuesday an influential Druze chief, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, issued an announcement accusing Syrian authorities forces of breaching a ceasefire and bombarding the town and known as on fighters to confront authorities troops.
Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra later issued an announcement declaring {that a} full ceasefire was in place, and saying authorities forces would solely open hearth if fired upon.
