IDF strikes Syrian tanks threatening Druze areas in southern Syria amid heavy fighting

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Monday that it struck tanks of the Syrian government deep within Syrian territory to prevent any potential threat to Israel, while defending the Druze community amid ongoing clashes.

“The IDF attacked targets in Syria as a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime – we will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria,” Defense Minister Katz stated, adding: “Israel will not stand idly by.”

Over the past few days, at least 30 people were killed and over 100 wounded in armed clashes between Bedouin tribesmen and Druze militias in the southwestern province of Suwayda, which is mainly populated by Druze.

The IDF releases footage showing its airstrike on Syrian tanks in the Sweida area of southern Syria earlier today.

The military says the tanks were struck near the village of Sami', after they were identified heading toward Sweida.

"The IDF struck the tanks to prevent their… pic.twitter.com/jKT8oe4CHT

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Earlier Monday, a Druze militia carried out an ambush, reportedly killing around a dozen government fighters, who the Druze community views with deep suspicion due to their ties to former Islamist terror groups.

Later in the day, reports suggested that the government continued sending reinforcements to the area, including heavy weaponry.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck several tanks between al-Sijin and a-Samia, some 50 km (31 miles) from the Israeli border, as they were moving toward Suwayda. Druze leaders had called for international help against the Bedouin and government forces.

“The IDF struck the tanks to prevent their arrival to the area,” the military says in a statement.

“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.”

Israel has vowed not to let the new government deploy any heavy weaponry in southern Syria, which is adjacent to the Israeli border. In addition, the IDF seized the former demilitarized zone in Syrian territory, using it as a buffer zone.

During a trip to Europe on Monday, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asad al-Shibani addressed the incident indirectly, saying that, “No one has the authority to interfere in our affairs” during an interview with Saudi news outlet al-Hadath.

He noted that only the state should have the authority to carry weapons in the country, adding, “Syria is beginning to return to its natural place in the Arab and international arenas.”