As Syrian forces attempted to reestablish control over the Druze-held areas in the country’s south, Israel hit them with airstrikes. The Times of Israel reports:

A burning tank in the Mazraa area, near Sweida, Syria, on July 14, 2025. (Bakr ALkasem / AFP)
The Israeli military on Monday carried out a strike against several tanks near the southern Syrian village of Sami’, in the Sweida area, where Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes have clashed with Druze militias in recent days. It said the move was aimed at protecting the Druze and thwarting any threat to Israel.

The military released footage of the strike, and said the tanks were struck after they were identified heading toward Sweida, and that “the IDF struck the tanks to prevent their arrival to the area.”

The footage indicated that a small munition was launched from an Israeli Air Force drone in the strike, to “disrupt” the arrival of the tanks in the area. There were no reports of injuries in the incident.

“The presence of these assets in southern Syria may pose a threat to the State of Israel. The IDF will not allow the establishment of a military threat in southern Syria and will operate against it,” the statement said, adding that “the IDF continues to monitor the developments in the area.”

The strike marks an apparent rare occurrence of Israel striking military forces of Syria’s new government. Israeli officials have said that they seek to completely demilitarize the southern Syria area, and not allow any armed groups to enter it and gain a foothold, including those of the new Syrian government.

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