Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered the military to strike the Syrian army that entered Sweida province in southern Syria. Accordingly, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on Syrian government forces, targeting heavy military-grade vehicles and weapons entering the Druze heartland.
“A short while ago, the Israeli army began striking military vehicles belonging to Syrian regime forces in the area of Sweida in southern Syria,” a military statement said.
Earlier today, the Syrian army entered Sweida in a bid to contain deadly tribal clashes that have left more than 100 dead.
Several Druze factions issued statements urging their fighters to hand over their weapons to the Syrian army. Among them was prominent Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who later disavowed the statements.
The clashes started late Friday between the local Druze militia and Bedouin tribal fighters in al-Maqous neighborhood in eastern Sweida.
(With inputs from Agencies)
