Israel bombs Syria army HQ after warning Damascus

SYRIA SAYS THE STRIKE KILLED ONE PERSON AND WOUNDED ANOTHER 18

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Israel bombed the Syrian army headquarters in Damascus yesterday after warning the Islamist-led government to leave the Druze minority alone in its Sweida heartland, where a war monitor says sectarian clashes have killed nearly 300 people.

Syrian government forces on Tuesday entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida, in the country’s south, with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed with Druze community leaders after clashes with local Bedouin tribes left dozens dead.

Rampage through city

However, witnesses reported that the government forces joined with the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians in a bloody rampage through the city.

The fighting marks the most serious outbreak of violence in Syria since government forces battled Druze fighters in Sweida province and near Damascus in April and May, leaving more than 100 people dead.