16.07.2025 15:50
After the ceasefire declared in the city of Sweida, Syria, clashes resumed between Druze armed groups and government forces. The death toll has risen to 248, while Israel announced that it would continue its attacks until the Syrian government forces withdraw. In its latest attack, Israel struck the General Staff Headquarters in Damascus.
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Clashes broke out between Druze armed groups and government forces following the ceasefire announced yesterday in the city of Sweida in southern Syria.
In a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Defense's Media and Communication Department, it was stated, "After an agreement was reached on the ceasefire with the prominent figures and opinion leaders in the city of Sweida, armed groups began to attack the army and security forces again within the city. In our previous statements, we indicated that the army would respond to those who opened fire. The army continues to intervene against those who opened fire in the city of Sweida. In this context, we are adhering to the rules of engagement to protect the people, prevent harm to the public, and ensure the safe return of those who left the city to their homes." The public was urged to stay in their homes and to inform the authorities about illegal groups in the city.
THE DEATH TOLL IN CLASHES HAS RISE TO 248
In a statement by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, it was reported that the number of deaths in the clashes that began last Sunday has risen to 248. It was reported that 21 civilians and 92 individuals from Druze groups, 18 individuals from Bedouin groups, and 138 security forces lost their lives.
ISRAEL WILL CONTINUE ATTACKS
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in a morning statement that the Syrian government should "leave the Druze alone."
Katz said, "The Syrian regime must leave the Druze in Sweida alone and withdraw its forces. As we have clearly stated and warned, Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria and will implement the disarmament policy we agreed upon. The Israeli army will continue its attacks until the Syrian regime forces withdraw from the region, and if the message is not understood, it will soon escalate its response against the regime."
ISRAEL STRUCK THE CHIEF OF STAFF
While clashes continue in Sweida, Israel struck the Chief of Staff in the Syrian capital, Damascus. As a series of explosions were heard in the city, the Israeli army stated regarding the attack, "The Israel Defense Forces recently carried out a drone strike on the entrance of the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus. We continue to monitor developments against Druze civilians in southern Syria. Attacks on the region will continue in line with the directives of the political authority, and we are prepared for various scenarios."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The clashes in the city of Sweida began last Sunday when Druze in the region seized vehicles belonging to Bedouin Arab tribes. Both sides mutually kidnapped and detained some civilians, leading to armed clashes. The Israeli army targeted Syrian government forces heading to Sweida on Monday and Tuesday in an effort to end the armed clashes. Syrian Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Kasra announced yesterday that a ceasefire had been declared in the city of Sweida, where Druze are in the majority, stating that they would only respond to those who opened fire. Kasra emphasized that after the search operation in the city, control of Sweida would be handed over to police forces under the Ministry of Interior.
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