Israel bombs Syria as it vows to protect Druze community

Israel bombed the Syrian army’s headquarters in Damascus on Wednesday after warning the Islamist-led government to leave the country’s Druze minority alone, as authorities announced a ceasefire in the community's southern heartland after deadly sectarian clashes.

- Agencies

Syrian government forces entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed with Druze community leaders following days of fighting with local Bedouin tribes.

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

More than 300 dead

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that the violence in Sweida city since Sunday had left more than 300 people dead, including government forces, local fighters and 27 Druze civilians killed in “summary executions... by members of the defence and interior ministries”.

The Syrian presidency vowed to investigate the “heinous acts” in Sweida and to punish “all those proven to be involved”.