Israel strikes military tanks in southern Syria as Syrian forces clash with Druze militias

DAMASCUS, Syria — Israel’s army on Monday said it has struck military tanks in southern Syria as Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze militias there. Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting between local militias and clans in Syria ’s Sweida province. Government security forces that were sent to restore order Monday also clashed with local armed groups. The Interior Ministry has said more than 30 people died and nearly 100 others have been injured in that fighting. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor reported at least 50 dead, including two children and six members of the security forces. Israel has previously threatened to intervene in Syria in defense of the Druze religious minority. Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. In Israel, Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Israel has been suspicious of SyriWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times