Damascus [Syria], July 31: Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israel attacked targets in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida province on Tuesday, a British-based war monitor reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Israeli drones targeted Bedouin fighters and pro-government militias in western Sweida, located in southern SyriaThe Israeli military initially did not release information on this.
When asked, a spokesman stated that he was "not aware of any strikes by the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] in the area." According to the SOHR, the strikes were part of a broader escalation in Israeli drone activity in the region.
Witnesses and local activists reported intense Israeli reconnaissance drone and helicopter flights over various parts of southern Syria over the past 24 hours.
Some 1,100 people have been killed since July 13 as a result of fighting between Druze factions and Sunni Muslim Bedouin in Sweida, summary executions, and Israeli strikes, according to human rights activists.
The Druze are a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam and live mainly in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. Sweida is considered their stronghold.
Syrian government forces intervened after violence erupted in the region.
Israel said it has a duty to protect the Druze. Many Druze serve in the Israeli military. Earlier this month, Israel unleashed airstrikes in Sweida and against government institutions in Damascus.
A ceasefire between Israel and Syria, backed by the United States and Turkey, was announced 10 days ago. A few days later, activists reported renewed Israeli airstrikes in Syria, including the bombing of key roads between several villages in Sweida using warplanes and drones. The Israeli army did not comment on the reports at the time.
Source: Qatar Tribune
