• Syrian security forces ‘have not been deployed or mobilized in the province so far,’ says Interior Ministry spokesman

ANKARA 

Israel will allow limited deployment of Syrian internal security forces into the southern city of Suwayda for 48 hours amid escalating violence in the region, according to official Israeli media.

The Israeli Public Broadcaster KAN reported on Friday that in light of ongoing armed clashes near the Druze-majority stronghold, Israeli authorities have “agreed to permit the temporary entry of Syrian regime security personnel into Suwayda.”

The broadcaster said the move is restricted to 48 hours and comes as part of a “calculated effort to prevent further escalation along Israel’s northeastern frontier.”

Meanwhile, the Syrian Interior Ministry denied reports that government security forces had entered Suwayda.

“Some agencies and media channels have circulated inaccurate news regarding the entry of internal security forces into Suwayda province,” ministry spokesman Noureddin al-Baba said in a statement.

According to Baba, security forces remain “at normal readiness” and “have not been deployed or mobilized in the province so far.”

Earlier in the day, heavy clashes erupted between armed Druze factions and Bedouin tribal forces near the western entrance of Suwayda, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Clashes in Suwayda and Israeli attacks

On June 13, clashes broke out between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups in Suwayda. The violence escalated, leading to deadly attacks by Druze fighters on Syrian security forces deployed in the area. Dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed.

A temporary ceasefire was reached between government forces and local Druze factions, but it soon collapsed. Israeli airstrikes followed, targeting Syrian military positions and infrastructure.

Israel has cited the “protection of Druze communities” as a pretext for its attacks in Syria, especially in the country’s south.

However, most Druze leaders in Syria have publicly rejected any foreign interference and reaffirmed their commitment to a unified Syrian state.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel intensified its air campaign in Syria and declared the buffer zone between the two countries defunct alongside the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

A new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in Syria in January.