Media: Israeli troops conduct raid in southern Syria

An Israeli military mechanised patrol entered Syria's southern Daraa province and carried out raids in the villages of Abdin, Ma'ariya and Al-Ardah, according to Al Watan newspaper.

The report said Israeli troops searched residents' homes for individuals suspected of belonging to radical groups.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli military had earlier reinforced its Al-Jazira base on the border of the Yarmouk River from the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights following several days of protests by residents.

Residents in western Daraa reportedly blocked roads used by Israeli patrols and threw stones at military vehicles.

In the neighbouring Quneitra province, Israeli forces stationed in the demilitarised zone shelled the village of Tranja and its surrounding areas with artillery. No casualties were reported.

Later in the day, another Israeli military unit entered the village of Al-Samdaniyah, where troops conducted searches in several neighbourhoods and detained one Syrian suspected of links to extremist groups.

On July 26, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Damascus was seeking to avoid confrontation with Israel and, with the assistance of friendly countries, was working toward reaching a security agreement with the Jewish state.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov