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Israeli Military Action in Southern Syria
Israel has authorized military operations against Syrian government forces in the Sweida region following their deployment to the area. The Syrian army entered Sweida claiming to mediate clashes between Arab Bedouin groups and Druze militias, but Israel contends this violates demilitarization agreements for southern Syria.
Escalating Regional Tensions
Recent fighting between Bedouin and Druze factions has resulted in nearly 100 fatalities according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The conflict involves complex factors including ethnic tensions, water resource disputes, and control over captagon drug production. Both groups have established checkpoints to tax this illicit trade.
Ceasefire Violations and Israeli Intervention
Despite announced ceasefire agreements, influential Druze leaders accused Syrian forces of bombing Sweida, prompting calls for Druze militias to resist government troops. This marks the Syrian military's first appearance in Sweida since the Assad regime's collapse in December 2024.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated strikes against Syrian tanks were intended as a "clear warning" against harming Druze communities. Israel positions itself as protector of the Druze minority, partly due to Israeli Druze citizens serving in its military and strategic concerns about Islamist groups near its borders.
Regional Dynamics
The Druze, an ethnoreligious group with roots in Islam, predominantly inhabit border regions of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. While Syrian Druze publicly reject Israeli intervention, they remain distrustful of Syria's interim government led by former Islamist militia leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Syria's Foreign Ministry denounced "separatist rebel claims" and called for international respect of Syrian sovereignty, referencing Druze militia activities.
