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| At least 30 people killed in armed clashes in Syria's Sweida, says interior ministry; IDF shoots down HTS tanks to protect Druze |
| 2025-07-15 |
| [GEO.TV] At least 30 people were killed and 100 injured in a preliminary count in armed clashes between local military groups and tribes in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria's interior ministry said early on Monday. Sweida sounds like an artificial sugar substitute The ministry said that its forces will directly intervene to resolve the conflict and halt the clashes.
IDF strikes several tanks in south Syria as regime forces, Bedouin clash with Druze [IsraelTimes] Army says it hit tanks to ‘prevent their arrival’ at sites of fighting against Druze, in rare occurrence of Israel targeting forces of Syria’s new government; no injuries reported The Israeli military on Monday carried out a strike against several tanks near the southern Syrian village of Sami’, in the Sweida area, where Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes have clashed with Druze militias in recent days. It said the move was aimed at protecting the Druze and thwarting any threat to Israel. The military released footage of the strike, and said the tanks were struck after they were identified heading toward Sweida, and that “the IDF struck the tanks to prevent their arrival to the area.” The footage indicated that a small munition was launched from an Israeli Air Force drone in the strike, to “disrupt” the arrival of the tanks in the area. There were no reports of injuries in the incident. “The presence of these assets in southern Syria may pose a threat to the State of Israel. The IDF will not allow the establishment of a military threat in southern Syria and will operate against it,” the statement said, adding that “the IDF continues to monitor the developments in the area.” The strike marks an apparent rare occurrence of Israel striking military forces of Syria’s new government. Israeli officials have said that they seek to completely demilitarize the southern Syria area, and not allow any armed groups to enter it and gain a foothold, including those of the new Syrian government. Hours after the strike, Defense Minister Israel Katz said its purpose was to send “a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime. We will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria.” “Israel will not stand idly by,” he added. In the same area, there have been deadly clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in recent days. Israel has previously vowed to protect members of Syria’s Druze community. Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting, and government security forces that were sent to restore order Monday also clashed with local armed groups. Syria’s Interior Ministry has said more than 30 people have died and nearly 100 others have been injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported at least 89 dead, including two children, two women, and 14 members of the security forces. The clashes in Syria initially broke out between armed groups from the Druze and Sunni Bedouin clans, the observatory said, with some members of the government security forces “actively participating” in support of the Bedouins. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the observatory, said the recent conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said government forces entered Sweida in the early morning to restore order. “Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties,” he told the state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV. After IDF strikes tanks, Syrian FM condemns outside interference in internal affairs Related: Sweida: 2025-07-14 IDF seizes 3 tons of arms from ex-Assad regime sites; violence flares in southern Syria: 30 toes up, HTS vows to intervene Sweida: 2025-05-31 ISIS claims first attack on Syrian government forces since Assad’s fall Sweida: 2025-05-28 Israel and Syria holding face-to-face meetings at border to calm tensions |
| Posted by:Fred |