Israel Warns Syria Against Fresh Attacks on Druze as Air Force Boosts Activity in South

Israel is worried that operatives acting for the Syrian regime intend to resume attacks on the Druze population in Syria's southern Sweida province, a security source told the Israeli outlet Walla on Sunday. In response, the Israel Air Force has increased its activity in the area, signaling to Damascus that Jerusalem will not accept efforts to harm its Druze allies.

The source said Israel is following developments in Syria around the clock. According to the source, the government has no plan to soften its policy of helping the Druze fend off massacres or abductions, whether carried out directly by regime personnel or by operatives working on its behalf, including Bedouin factions coordinating with Syrian security agencies.

The matter has drawn heavy attention in media outlets affiliated with the Syrian regime. Those outlets have accused Israel of providing weapons, ammunition, money and intelligence to Druze factions in Sweida operating under the name "National Guard." The alleged purpose is to allow those factions to strike Bedouin tribes or Syrian military positions in the region. Reports published in Syria also claim that some of the equipment is delivered by airdrop.

Damascus, for its part, has passed messages to Jerusalem stating that its actions aim to establish sovereignty over all Syrian territory and are not directed at civilians. The Druze members of the National Guard reject those efforts, however, and refuse to place their forces under the command of the Syrian military.

The Syrian regime treats that refusal as a direct threat to the country's territorial integrity. The security source added that the regime has also made use of Bedouin groups that have long-running historical land disputes with the Druze.

According to the source, the Bedouin groups do not always act in step with the government. In some instances they operate independently, without coordinating with the regime's security bodies. In others, they have tried to attack Druze communities, block supply routes, and damage water and electricity infrastructure.

Reports from Syria, including from Al Jazeera, indicate that the Israel Air Force has kept an elevated presence over the Daraa and Sweida areas, especially during the past week. The aircraft reportedly include attack helicopters, fighter jets and remotely piloted aircraft.