Israel says it hit Syrian army after attack on Druze

The Israeli military says it struck Syrian military positions in southern Syria in response to an alleged attack on Druze civilians in the Sweida area yesterday.

The strikes hit a headquarters and weapons at several Syrian army camps, the IDF says.

“This was in response to the events yesterday, in which Druze civilians were attacked in the Sweida area,” the military says in a statement.

The strikes were not reported by major Syrian media outlets, and details surrounding the attack on the Druze remain murky.

In a statement circulated online, a Druze militia operating in the Sweida area claims that nine people were killed yesterday in circumstances that are not detailed; 12 people were detained at a checkpoint, and seven others were “abducted”; and that there was an attack with rockets and drones.

The IDF says that it will “not allow harm to the Druze in Syria and will continue to act to protect them,” and that it “continues to monitor developments in southern Syria and will act in accordance with the directives of the political leadership.”