Illustrative image. (Syrian Arab News Agency)
Tribal forces loyal to Syria’s Islamist-led government launched a new offensive against Druze fighters in the southern governorate of al-Suwayda on July 20 afternoon, violating a ceasefire brokered by the United States just two days earlier.
The forces, which reportedly include government troops, attacked the town of Ariqah and nearby areas in the northern countryside of al-Suwayda. Heavy weapons, including mortars, rockets and large-caliber guns, were reported used by the attackers. Still, Druze fighters shield onto their positions in the town and managed to capture some tribesmen.
The attack started around the same time the tribes and the Druze were supposed to exchange captives, one of the key terms of the ceasefire announced by the U.S. after talks with both Syria and Israel, which has been backing Druze fighters.
Amid the attack, activists in al-Suwayda said that Israeli warplanes carried out several warning strikes. However, this is yet to be confirmed by the Israeli military.
Despite the escalation in the northern countryside, the situation remained calm around al-Suwayda city which is tightly controlled by Druze fighters who expelled tribal forces from it just a day earlier.
Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported later in the evening that the country had delivered humanitarian aid and medical equipment to al-Suwayda overnight.
According to the report, Israel coordinated the delivery with the U.S., which in turn coordinated with the Syrian government. Kan said that it is unable to provide any further information on how the operation was carried out at this time. The presence of Israeli helicopters over the governorate was reported, however.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the battle in al-Suwayda, which broke out exactly a week earlier, has so far claimed the lives of at least 1,120 people, including 194 Druze civilians who were executed by government forces. The real death toll is likely much higher.
The agreement brokered by the U.S. is barely holding up. The government is still determined to deploy its forces in all of al-Suwadya. On the other hand, the spiritual leadership of the Druze wants all government forces to withdraw from the governorate.
Meanwhile, Israel appears to have its own agenda. While it presents itself as a backer of the Druze, supposedly due to its historic relations with its own Druze community, it is still hesitant about using force to end the attack on the al-Suwadya.
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they gonna violate the psion-enslaved druze swine too.
what crock of obvious staged prevarication.
of course they violated the ceasefire. look who trained them. look at whose orders they are under. israel/nato/gulf arabs.
we have to support ukraine fighting a vicious dictator, putler.
israel will deal with the terrorists in syria. al-assad’s biggest mistake was oppressing his own people and not siding with israel.
now it’s julani’s turn. he is a barbaric and islamic dictator. he needs to be brought down.