Video: Israel strikes Syrian military tanks

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday that it conducted strikes against Syrian military tanks in the southern region of Syria on Monday. The Israeli strikes come amid rising tension between the Syrian government and Bedouin tribes and the Druze militias.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Israel Defense Forces tweeted, “Following the directive of the political echelon, a short while ago, the IDF began striking military vehicles belonging to Syrian regime forces in the area of As Suwayda in southern Syria. This follows yesterday evening’s identification of Syrian regime convoys, including armored personnel carriers and tanks, moving toward the area of As-Suwayda in southern Syria.”

“The IDF struck several armored fighting vehicles consisting of tanks, APCs, and MLRS, as well as access roads, in order to disrupt the convoys’ arrival to the area,” the Israel Defense Forces added. “We continue to monitor the developments while remaining ready and prepared for various scenarios.”

A video shared on social media shows an Israeli strike against a Syrian military tank.

According to The Associated Press, recent fighting between militia groups in the Syrian province of Sweida has resulted in dozens of people being killed. The outlet noted that security forces sent to the province on Monday by the Syrian government engaged in clashes with the local militias.

The Associated Press reported that the Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that over 30 people have been killed and almost 100 people have been wounded due to the violence in the region. According to the outlet, the conflict in Syria started with a clash between the Sunni Bedouin and Druze clans and continued as some of the Syrian government’s security forces began “actively participating” on behalf of the Bedouins.

READ MORE: Video/Pics: 71 killed in Israeli strike on Iranian prison

In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz explained that Israel military forces “attacked targets in Syria as a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime — we will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria.” The outlet noted that the Druze are viewed as a loyal minority group in Israel and serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

The Associated Press reported that the Syrian Foreign Ministry urged “all countries and organizations to respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic and refrain from supporting any separatist rebel movements.” The Syrian Foreign Ministry also warned Syrian citizens to “cease acts of violence, surrender illegal weapons and thwart those seeking to dismantle the Syrian social fabric and sow discord and division.”