Clashes erupted between Syrian regime forces and Druze militias in Sweida, prompting Israeli airstrikes on regime military sites overnight.
Violent confrontations have been reported since Wednesday in the Sweida region, a Druze stronghold in southern Syria, between forces of the Syrian regime and local Druze fighters affiliated with the “National Guard,” loyal to spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri.
According to regional reports, the fighting began following a Syrian regime ambush on a key road, which the regime claims targeted criminal elements involved in drug smuggling. However, Druze sources insist the ambush deliberately targeted their fighters, violating a previous ceasefire agreement.
As clashes escalated, reports indicated that regime forces fired mortars and Grad rockets toward civilian homes. Druze sources claim at least seven local residents were killed and multiple civilians abducted by regime forces.
