Israel launched strikes Tuesday against Syrian government forces in the Druze-majority region of Sweida, saying it was acting to protect the religious minority.Damascus had deployed troops to Sweida after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed more than 100 people.

Syrian forces had deployed in the southern city of Sweida, despite Israeli warnings, trying to contain clashes between members of the Druze minority and Bedouin.

Loud gunfire and smoke were seen and heard over Sweida in southern Syria on Tuesday, after the defence minister announced a ceasefire following the entry of government forces into a key city in the province.

State-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported that tanks and armoured vehicles were withdrawn from residential areas in an apparent effort to de-escalate.

The Syrian government deployed its forces in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, in a bid by the Islamist authorities to extend their power to the area controlled by local armed groups.

At least 89 people were killed in the southern Syrian province of Sweida as clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters raged for

Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.

Soldiers in Syria's armed forces walk through the southern city of Sweida where the defence ministry said they had been deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes.