Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Israel intervened in support of Druze fighters in the southeastern governorate of al-Suwayda, who are currently facing a large-scale offensive by government forces and Sunni tribesmen.
In a statement released on July 14 afternoon, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that several tanks were targeted near the town of Sami’ in the western countryside of al-Suwayda.
The military released footage of the strike, and said the tanks were struck after they were identified heading toward the city of al-Suwayda, and that “the IDF struck the tanks to prevent their arrival to the area.”
“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.”
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.
Additional Israeli strikes were later reported in the towns of al-Mazra’a and Kanakir, which are also located in the western countryside of al-Suwayda.
The few strikes failed to stop the advance of government forces. After the strikes, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said that its troops were in control of al-Mazra’a, some ten kilometers away from al-Suwayda, and were about to capture Kanakir, which is located just under four kilometers away from the city.
Government forces took heavy losses while advancing, but expanded the use of drones and brought in more heavy weapons, including multiple rocket launchers and towed howitzers. Overall, Druze fighters appear to be outnumbered and overpowered.
It’s worth noting that serious violations by government forces and Sunni tribesmen are being reported, including arbitrary arrests, beatings and looting.
The battle began a day earlier as a result of a local conflict between Druze fighters and Sunni tribesmen. Early on July 14, the Islamist-led interim Government announced that it was intervening to stop the conflict, but ended up backing the tribesmen.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the battle has so far claimed the lives of 60 Druze, including two women and two children, 18 tribesmen, 14 soldiers and seven unidentified fighters. Meanwhile, the Syrian Ministry of Defense reported the death of at least 16 of its soldiers, which suggests that the real death toll from the ongoing clashes is much higher.
After the fall of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad last year, Druze fighters refused to lay down their arms out of fear of the country’s new Islamist rulers. They maintained a semi-autonomous administration in al-Suwayda as well as in the towns of Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus.
Syrian government forces led two attacks against Druze fighters near Damascus and in al-Suwayda between April and May. Israel vowed to protect the Druze at the time, citing its historic ties with its own Druze community. Still, Druze fighters were expelled from Sahnaya in May.
Israel’s latest intervention in al-Suwayda appears to be very symbolic. The government attack on the governorate right after reports of a high-level meeting between Israeli and Syrian officials in Azerbaijan. It is very likely that Israel had agreed to let go of the Druze in order to advance a peace agreement with Syria.
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lol what a fake out .. shara jew-lanis al qaida commanders are realizing he is a mossad asset , so he now pretends he is in conflict with israel …lol
only idf can save syria !
the idea of the zio diaper kiddie killer army “saving” anyone or anything must be the joke of the century. sort of like appointing adolf hitler as goodwill ambassador to israhell or nominating chumpo for a nobel peace prize.satire is dead.
r✡️ssia worked for their brothers israel and turkey in syria during the assad years. i feel bad for real syrian people.
syrian government forces = squalid subhuman terrorist vermin.