Israel Syria Druze Violence Ceasefire Needed
Syria Condemns Israeli Escalation Amidst Deadly Clashes in sweida
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Damascus, Syria – Syria has strongly condemned what it describes as a dangerous Israeli escalation, following a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted areas in adn around damascus and Sweida. The condemnation comes as the nation grapples with escalating internal tensions, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting a grim death toll of approximately 600 people in recent clashes in the southern province of Sweida.
Syrian leadership Highlights Wisdom and National Interest
Speaking on the escalating situation, a Syrian official, Al-Dahhak, stated that the “Israeli escalation is dangerous.” He emphasized that the Syrian leadership has navigated the complex circumstances with “the highest levels of wisdom and took accurate sovereign decisions.” These decisions, he asserted, are fundamentally aimed at “protecting the supreme national interest and ensuring the unity of the country and the integrity of its territory.”
Al-Dahhak further articulated the Syrian people’s stance, noting their firm refusal of “Terrorism, incitement to violence, and everything that affects their national unity.” He concluded his remarks with a powerful declaration: “Syria will remain a state for all,” underscoring the nation’s need for “the international community to stand alongside it.”
Sweida Engulfed in Violence, Syrian Forces Intervene
The province of Sweida, predominantly inhabited by the Druze community, has been the epicenter of recent bloody confrontations. Over the past few days,clashes between local clans and factions have resulted in the deaths of over a hundred individuals. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has provided a stark assessment, stating that the overall death toll in the Sweida clashes has risen to around 600 people. This includes a meaningful number of casualties among the Ministries of Defense and Interior, with 275 members reported dead, alongside 304 residents of Sweida.
In response to the escalating violence, Syrian forces entered Sweida with the objective of overseeing a ceasefire that had been agreed upon with the city’s elders and notables.
Israel Cites Violation of Understanding, Threatens Further Action
Israeli officials have indicated that the Syrian army’s entry into Sweida was in violation of a prior understanding with Israel. according to reports, the coordination was specifically to prevent the entry of heavy weapons into the region. An Israeli military official reiterated the country’s firm stance,stating that Israel “will not allow a military crowd on its borders with southern Syria.”
The recent Israeli airstrikes, which shook Damascus on Wednesday, targeted key locations including the Ministry of Defense and the presidential Palace complex. Strikes were also reported in Sweida and other areas,signaling a significant escalation in regional tensions.