Israel opens 48-hour passage for Syrian government forces, fighting continues in Suwayda

Reuters Beirut, Jerusalem, July 18 - A Israeli official said on Wednesday that Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of Syrian security forces into the Suwayda area within the next 48 hours.

For nearly a week, the Suwayda province has been the scene of violent conflict, with fighting erupting between Bedouin armed groups and Druze factions. The Druze are a religious minority, also found in Lebanon and Israel besides the Suwayda province in Syria.

Syrian government had previously sent troops to the Suwayda region, hoping to end the fighting, but these forces were accused of widespread abuses against the Druze, and were attacked by the Israeli army, forcing them to withdraw from the area. Previously, both sides had reached a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Israel launched a series of fierce air strikes on Damascus, destroying the Syrian Defense Ministry and attacking near the presidential palace, reportedly to prevent the government from sending troops to the south. The Israeli Defense Forces again attacked Suwayda province during the night of Thursday to Friday.

A anonymous Israeli official told Reuters on Friday, "In light of the current unstable situation in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of Syrian interior security forces into the Suwayda area within the next 48 hours."

Israel describes the new Syrian government as "jihadists" and has pledged to protect the Druze in the region, a stance also encouraged by members of the Druze community in Israel.

Reuters cited data from the Syrian Human Rights Network on Friday, stating that at least 321 people have died in the conflict in Suwayda, including executions carried out by all sides. The Syrian Minister of Emergency Affairs stated that over 500 injured have received treatment, and hundreds of families have evacuated the city. Local residents and local media told Reuters that fighting continued in northern and western areas of Suwayda province on Friday.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838072189794500/

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