Syrian forces move to quell sectarian clashes; Israel strikes tanks

Syrian government forces were advancing towards the southern city of Sweida on July 14 to quell deadly clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, with one Druze armed group saying talks with the authorities aimed at brokering a truce were under way.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported 99 people killed since the fighting erupted on July 13 - 60 Druze, including four civilians; 18 Bedouin fighters; 14 security personnel and seven unidentified people in military uniforms.

As the violence escalated, Israel, which previously warned it would intervene in Syria to protect the Druze, said it struck "several tanks" in the area as a "warning" to Damascus.

An AFP correspondent saw Syrian forces on July 14 take control of the Druze village of Al-Mazraa, where Bedouin fighters were also located.

Commander Ezzeddine al-Shamayer told AFP that the forces were heading towards Sweida city.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry declared "army and internal security forces have moved closer to the centre" of Sweida province.