Syria experiences airstrikes by Israel following escalation of sectarian conflicts, prompting regime forces to intrude into the Druze region.
### Title: Israel-Syria Tensions Escalate as Israel Declares Demilitarized Zone in Southern Syria
In a move that has further complicated the already volatile situation in Syria, Israel has unilaterally declared a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, encompassing the province of Suwayda. This decision comes amidst ongoing clashes between the Druze community, who form a majority in Suwayda, and various extremist groups, as well as local Bedouin tribes.
The Druze, an Arab sect of approximately one million people, primarily reside in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Syria, they have at times been caught between the forces of the Assad regime and extremist groups, a predicament that has led to violent confrontations and loss of life. Over the weekend, clashes between Druze forces and Bedouin tribes resulted in 30 deaths and numerous injuries in Suwayda.
Israel's declaration of a demilitarized zone is a response to Syria's alleged violations of the demilitarization policy by moving military equipment into Suwayda. Syria's military, however, has entered the Druze minority's stronghold in Suwayda to pursue outlaw groups, a move that has been met with opposition from the Druze community.
The Syrian government has rejected Israel's declaration of a demilitarized zone and has called on Israel to cease military actions violating its sovereignty. Syria's Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qusra, has declared a "ceasefire" in Suwayda following an agreement with unidentified community leaders. Military police are now deploying in Suwayda to regulate military conduct and hold violators accountable, according to Abu Qusra.
Israel's intervention in the region is not new. Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last year, Israel has launched strikes against Syrian forces advancing towards Suwayda, citing a commitment to protect the Druze in Syria. The presence of Israeli military bases in the region, numbering ten since the recent regime change in Syria, has resulted in significant displacement of local populations due to home demolitions and land seizures.
The Druze spiritual leader, Hikmat Al-Hijri, has called for international protection against the government forces' actions in Suwayda. Israel's Defense Minister has instructed the IDF to immediately strike regime forces and weaponry in Suwayda, as they were brought in for operations against the Druze and violate the demilitarization policy. The IDF has struck Syrian military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and tanks, moving towards Suwayda.
This latest development in the Israel-Syria conflict underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the complex web of alliances and conflicts that characterize it. The situation in Suwayda serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Druze community and the broader Syrian population, who continue to grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war.
The Israel-Syria conflict, fueled by war-and-conflicts and politics, has resulted in the unilateral declaration of a demilitarized zone by Israel in Southern Syria's Suwayda province, a move disputed by the Syrian government. Meanwhile, world leaders are paying attention to the general-news emanating from the Middle East, where the Druze community, a small Arab sect primarily residing in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, is caught amidst violent confrontations, accompanied by significant displacement of local populations due to home demolitions and land seizures by Israel's military presence in the region.
