🚨🇸🇾 Syria Update: Escalating Crisis in As-Suwayda!

Current Situation:
Regime forces, alongside Bedouin groups, have intensified their offensive in As-Suwayda, employing a pincer movement to encircle the Druze-majority city from Knakhir (southwest) and Al-Mazra’a (northwest). Over 200 killed in ongoing clashes since Sunday, including Druze, Bedouin, and Syrian troops. Reports of regime atrocities—abuse, house burnings, and **executions of Druze civilians**—have sparked outrage.

🇸🇾 Ceasefire Collapse:
Despite a ceasefire announced by Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, fighting persists. Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri accused regime forces of violating the truce, calling for international intervention to “save Suwayda” and labeling the campaign a “war of extermination.”

🇮🇱 Israeli Intervention:
Israel launched strikes on Syrian regime targets, including the Syrian Ministry of Defense HQ in Damascus and military vehicles in As-Suwayda, to protect the Druze and enforce a demilitarization policy. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Damascus to withdraw, stating, “Israel will not abandon the Druze.” An Israeli Air Force UAV also eliminated Muamar Ibrahim, artillery commander of Syria’s 40th Division in Daraa.

😢 Tragic Loss:
Sheikh Marhaj Shaheen (80), a prominent Druze figure, died after reported abuse by regime-aligned forces, further fueling tensions.

🌪️ Border Chaos:
Dozens of Druze from Syria attempted to cross into Israel near Hader, while Israeli Druze crossed into Syria from Majdal Shams to support their community. IDF and Border Police are working to prevent infiltrations and safely return citizens.

Context:
The Druze, distrustful of Syria’s Islamist-led government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, resist disarmament demands. Clashes, triggered by a Druze merchant’s kidnapping, reflect longstanding Bedouin-Druze tensions. Israel’s strikes aim to counter regime advances and protect the Druze, tied to Israel’s Druze community in the Golan Heights.

Impact:
The situation remains volatile, with fears of further sectarian violence and regional escalation. Al-Hijri’s call for intervention by President Trump and PM Netanyahu underscores the crisis’s gravity.

📍 Map Reference:
The attached map highlights regime control points in Knakhir and Al-Mazra’a, illustrating the ongoing encirclement attempt.

Watch the full MidEast & Beyond here: https://www.youtube.com/live/VeXpUC-qg_U?si=R0tx_5gETIVSbTTP

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