Israeli Airstrikes in Syria's Suwayda, Accusations of Ceasefire Violation

 Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes in Suwayda, a city in southern Syria. New clashes erupted in the predominantly Druze-populated city just hours after the Syrian government announced a ceasefire.

Syria's Interior Ministry stated in a Tuesday communiqué that armed groups, with the assistance of the Israeli Air Force, initiated fresh attacks on Syrian government forces. Syria condemned this Israeli intervention as a violation of international law.

Conversely, influential Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri issued a statement alleging that Syrian government troops themselves violated the ceasefire declared earlier in the day. These Israeli airstrikes occurred as Hikmat al-Hajri had called upon local fighters to counter the "brutal attacks" by government forces.

Israel claims that its attacks in this southern Syrian region, bordering Israel, are aimed at protecting the Druze minority, whom they view as potential allies.

In a statement posted on social media, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said that Israel "cannot remain inactive" when the Druze are involved in fighting. Chikli asserted, "We are seeing genocide and humiliation against the Druze, and we must fight against Syria's terrorist regime." He further claimed that recognizing Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharah as the country's "legitimate leader" was a "grave mistake."

More than 30 people have been reported killed and over 100 injured in clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze fighters in Suwayda since Sunday. A long-standing animosity exists between Bedouin and Druze armed groups in Suwayda, with violence erupting periodically.

US Ambassador to Syria Tom Barrack stated that Washington is engaging with all parties to "move towards peace and solidarity."