Israel is concerned that operatives acting on behalf of the Syrian regime intend to renew attacks against the Druze population in the Sweida province of southern Syria, a security source told Walla on Sunday morning.
As a result, the IAF has increased activity in the area, sending a warning to Damascus that Jerusalem will not tolerate attempts to harm its Druze allies.
The security source told Walla that Israel is monitoring developments in Syria around the clock and has no intention of easing the Israeli government's policy of assisting the Druze against any attempts to carry out massacres or abductions by operatives acting on behalf of the Syrian regime, including Bedouin factions coordinated with Syrian security agencies, or by regime personnel directly.
According to the source, the issue has received extensive coverage in media outlets affiliated with the Syrian regime. These outlets have accused Israel of supplying weapons, ammunition, money, and intelligence to Druze factions in Sweida province operating under the name "National Guard," allegedly to enable them to attack Bedouin tribes or Syrian military positions in the area.
According to reports published in Syria, some of the equipment is being airdropped.
Syria insists actions intended to establish sovereignty, not target civilians
Damascus has conveyed messages to Jerusalem asserting that its actions are intended to establish sovereignty over all Syrian territory rather than target civilians. However, Druze members of the National Guard oppose these efforts and refuse to place their forces under the command of the Syrian military.
The Syrian regime views this refusal as a direct threat to the country's territorial integrity. In addition, the regime has been using Bedouin groups that are engaged in longstanding historical land disputes with the Druze.
The security source said that in some cases, Bedouin groups operate independently, without coordinating with the regime's security agencies.
In other cases, Bedouin groups have attempted to attack Druze communities, block supply routes, and damage water and electricity infrastructure.
According to reports from Syria, including Al Jazeera, the IAF has maintained an increased presence over the Daraa and Sweida areas, particularly over the past week, deploying attack helicopters, fighter jets, and remotely piloted aircraft.