Katz clarified in his statements that “the army’s presence there is to protect against threats from the Syrian side,” affirming that “Israel will continue to protect the Druze in Syria.” Earlier today, Syrian media announced “in the atmosphere of Quneitra Governorate.” Syrian media reported that “Israeli forces conducted an incursion into the town of Suweisa in Quneitra and raided civilian homes,” noting that they carried out an arrest campaign in the town of Suweisa in Quneitra, southern Syria.” Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the spiritual leaders of the Druze community in Sweida Governorate, called yesterday, Monday. In a speech he delivered during his reception of the new leader of the “Men of Dignity Movement,” Mazid Khadaj, he appealed to the “honorable people of the world and free countries to stand with the Druze community to declare a separate region forever.” He also considered that the “National Guard,” recently formed from armed Druze groups, “will defend the land with the guarantee of countries concerned with this matter,” as he put it. Furthermore, he noted that “the recent ordeal was intended to annihilate the Druze community,” according to his claim. These statements came days after the US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, officially met with the Druze spiritual leader in Israel, Mowafaq Tarif, in the French capital, Paris, where they discussed the situation in Sweida. Sweida witnessed clashes and confrontations that lasted a week on July 13th between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, prompting government security forces to intervene to stop the confrontations between the two sides, while around 200,000 people were displaced due to the conflict, according to United Nations estimates. The Syrian transitional government announced the formation of an investigation committee to look into the violations “committed by armed groups and some government elements,” pledging to hold those responsible accountable and bring them to specialized courts as soon as the investigations are completed. On July 19th, a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire was announced in Sweida, calling all parties, without exception, to “fully commit to this decision and immediately cease all combat activities in all areas, ensuring the protection of civilians and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
