Smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes rises over parts of the city of Sweida, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday they have instructed the military to strike Syrian forces in the southern Syrian province of Sweida, claiming to protect the Druze population there. (Photo by Munther al-Shofi/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday they have instructed the military to strike Syrian forces in the southern Syrian province of Sweida, claiming to protect the Druze population there.
The move came shortly after the chief of the Syrian defense authorities Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire in Sweida. Earlier, Syrian forces had entered the area.
In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz said they ordered the military to "immediately strike" Syrian forces and weapons in the area to "prevent the Syrian regime from harming" the Druze community, due to "the deep fraternal alliance with the Druze citizens of Israel and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria."
The Israeli military said in a separate statement that it struck Syrian armored vehicles and rocket launchers. It said convoys of Armored Personnel Carriers and tanks were identified on Monday evening moving toward Sweida, and that access routes were also targeted "in order to disrupt their arrival in the area."
The military added that it "continues to monitor developments and remains prepared for defense and various scenarios." ■
