This is Beirut

Erdogan Accuses Israel of Using Druze as Pretext to Expand Into Syria

This is Beirut, 17/07 20:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Damascus Israel Erdogan Druze Syria Sweida

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Israel of using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country. "Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighboring Syria over the past two days," Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting. "I ...

Syria Troops Quit Druze Heartland After Violence Leaves Over 500 Dead

This is Beirut, 17/07 19:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Damascus Israel Sweida

Syrian troops pulled out of the Druze heartland province of Sweida on orders from the Islamist-led government, following days of deadly clashes that killed more than 500 people, according to a war monitor. The southern province has been gripped by deadly sectarian bloodshed since Sunday, with hundreds reportedly killed in clashes pitting Druze ...

Syrian Forces Begin Withdrawal from Sweida Following Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 16/07 23:32 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Syria Sweida Israel

The Syrian army began withdrawing from the Druze-majority city of Sweida on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense announced, following the conclusion of a ceasefire aimed at ending deadly intercommunal violence. "The army forces have started to withdraw from the city of Sweida in implementation of the terms of the agreement, following the ...

Salam Calls on the Lebanese to Avoid Any Discord

This is Beirut, 16/07 23:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Sweida Nawaf Salam Druzes

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the Lebanese people, on Wednesday evening, to "avoid discord and prioritize the national interest above all else." In a message posted on his X account, Salam said he had held a series of discussions with the relevant ministers and heads of security agencies, asking them to "take the necessary measures to protect ...

Violence in Sweida: Lebanese Druze Call on International Community for Action

This is Beirut, 16/07 19:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Druze Sweida Lebanon violence

An emergency meeting in solidarity with the Druze of Sweida was held on Wednesday in the village of Sharoun, in the Aley district, at the invitation of the religious authority of the Druze community in Lebanon. Numerous dignitaries, religious leaders, and members of parliament gathered around the Sheikh Akl, Sami Abu el-Mona. In his ...

Sweida Caught Between Damascus and Israel

Mario Chartouni, 16/07 19:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Damascus Israel Syria Sweida Druzes

The majority-Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria has been thrust into an unprecedented spiral of violence since Sunday, as fierce clashes between the Syrian army, backed by Bedouin militias, and local Druze armed groups have escalated dramatically. The fighting has been marked by intense combat, summary executions, a deepening humanitarian ...

Lebanese Officials Condemn Israeli Strikes on Damascus

This is Beirut, 16/07 18:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Sweida Syria Walid Jumblatt Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon

Israeli strikes on Damascus and escalating sectarian violence in Sweida on Wednesday drew sharp reactions from top Lebanese officials, who voiced strong condemnation and urged de-escalation. President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel’s strikes as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a sister Arab state" and warned that continued aggression ...

Syria Promises to Punish those who Committed Abuses in Sweida

This is Beirut, 16/07 14:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Syria Sweida Druze

The Syrian presidency vowed to punish those who committed violations against Druze-majority Sweida's residents, as government forces were accused of summary executions and other abuses by right groups, witnesses and local factions. In a statement, the presidency said they "strongly condemn these heinous acts and affirm our full commitment to ...

Renewed Violence in Sweida Raises Concerns for Druze Civilians

This is Beirut, 16/07 13:43 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Syria NGO Sweida

In southern Syria, the city of Sweida has descended into chaos. An NGO accuses government forces of executing Druze civilians following their deployment in the region. Fighting broke out after intercommunal violence that left over 200 people dead. Israel responded with airstrikes on Syrian forces, claiming to protect the Druze population. Despite ...

Syrian Forces Accused of 'Executions' in Druze Area as Israel Launches Strikes

This is Beirut, 15/07 23:16 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Damascus Israel Syria Sweida

Syrian authorities were accused on Tuesday of carrying out summary executions of civilians in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida, where Israel said it had launched strikes against government forces in defense of the religious minority. Damascus deployed troops to the area after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed ...

Ceasefire Talks Underway After Southern Syria Clashes, Says Druze Group

This is Beirut, 14/07 22:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Israel Sweida

Negotiations are underway between Syrian authorities and Druze representatives in southern Syria to halt the fighting that has left around 100 people dead, one of the main Druze armed groups told AFP on Monday evening. Syrian government forces are advancing toward the city of Sweida, held by Druze fighters, following clashes since Sunday with ...

Almost 100 Killed as Syria Sectarian Clashes Rage

This is Beirut, 14/07 20:59 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Syria Sweida

Syrian government forces were advancing towards the southern city of Sweida on Monday amid clashes in the region between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes that have killed nearly 100 people, according to a war monitor. As the violence escalated, Israel, which had previously warned that it would intervene in Syria to protect the Druze, said it ...

Sweida