Israel intervenes as Syrian forces clash with Druze militia
Israel’s army said on Monday it has struck military tanks in southern Syria as Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze militias there.
Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting between local militias and clans in Syria’s Sweida province. Government security forces that were sent to restore order Monday also clashed with local armed groups.
Israel has previously intervened in Syria in defence of the Druze religious minority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement at the time that Israel “will not allow the deployment of (Syrian government) forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”
Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel.
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