IDF confronts violent Druze protesters crossing into Syria’s Majdal Shams VIDEO

On the night of Saturday, July 19, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Border Police (MAGAV) took measures to prevent unrest in the border area adjacent to Syria, where hundreds of Israeli citizens had gathered.

According to a statement from the army press service reported by Caliber.Az, the crowd crossed into Syrian territory near Majdal Shams and used violence against Israeli security forces.

The IDF underscored that any violent actions against its soldiers and security personnel are treated with utmost seriousness. Furthermore, it emphasised that crossing the border into Syria constitutes a criminal offence. Leaders from Israel’s Druze community are reportedly cooperating with the army to help prevent further clashes, unrest, and violations along the border.

The violence in the region initially erupted on July 13, sparked by an incident involving the alleged beating and kidnapping of a Druze merchant. This event triggered a cycle of retaliatory attacks and intensified confrontations between local Druze and Bedouin tribes.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these clashes in the As-Suwayda area have resulted in at least 718 fatalities since the violence began. The Syrian government deployed troops on July 14 in response to the rapidly escalating tensions.

Adding complexity to the situation, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Syrian military targets in Damascus, asserting that their actions aimed to protect the Druze community, which maintains connections to the Druze population in Israel. These strikes continued into the night of July 18, further heightening the regional crisis.

Against this tense backdrop, the United States successfully mediated a ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel on July 18, offering a critical opportunity to stabilise the area.

By Tamilla Hasanova