Israel launched fresh strikes on Syrian government forces advancing towards the southern city of Suwayda, where clashes between Druze forces and Bedouin tribes left 30 people dead and injured dozens more. The violence prompted an intervention by the Syrian government, which lost 18 soldiers in the clashes.
Islamist forces allied with the Syrian government joined the fight this week, heightening concerns among the Druze community. Israel vowed to protect the Druze, launching strikes on Syrian government forces and pledging continued action to safeguard the group.
The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the Israeli attacks, calling them a “blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty.” The US has been pushing for normalization with Syria, but Israel’s repeated strikes have complicated efforts.
The Druze are an Arab sect of around one million people primarily living in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. They originated in Egypt and practice a unique form of Islam that prohibits converts. In southern Syria, the community is concentrated near the Israeli-occupied Golan heights.
Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged to protect all communities, but Sunni extremist forces have violently confronted minorities. The Druze are seeking disarmament and integration into the government, but Al-Sharaa’s efforts have been met with resistance from Islamist forces.
Israel intervened due to its “deep brotherly alliance” with Israeli Druze citizens and historical ties to the community in Syria. Israel has declared a demilitarization zone in southern Syria, which the Syrian government has rejected.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/middleeast/israel-strikes-syria-sectarian-clashes-druze-intl