The IDF emphasized that Israel citizens crossing into Syria is a criminal offense that endangers both the public and the IDF. The IDF identified dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Syria,

Israel earlier launched a wave of strikes on the capital, Damascus, targeting Syria's defence ministry. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Israeli military responds to protect Syrian Druze from Islamist militants as local Druze citizens cross the border to aid their brethren, prompting concerns from Israeli officials.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said the clashes started after members of a Bedouin tribe in Sweida province set up a checkpoint where they attacked and robbed a Druze man, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings between the tribes and Druze armed groups.

The withdrawal follows a ceasefire deal between the government and local Druze leaders after days of deadly violence.

Syria’s military entered a stronghold for the Druze minority in the country’s south on Tuesday to “pursue outlaw groups,” the government said, prompting Israel to launch strikes against the forces dispatched by Damascus.

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.

Protests calling for international intervention break out in north shortly before IDF strikes Syrian forces in bid to protect Druze across border The post Israeli Druze block roads, rally for Syrian community as regime advances on Sweida appeared first on The Times of Israel.