Israel says it is sending ‘humanitarian aid’ for Druze in Suwayda
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he ordered the transfer of “humanitarian aid” to the Druze in Suwayda, in southern Syria.
The aid package, worth nearly $600,000, includes food, medical equipment and medicines, Saar said.
Critics argue that Israel’s interest in the Druze community in Syria stems both from pressure exerted by the Israeli Druze, whose members hold important roles in the army, and from the strategic goal of deepening Israel’s control in southern Syria.
Saar’s comments come as fighting between Beduin tribes and Druze fighters has resumed, following the collapse of two ceasefires agreed in the past week.
More on fighting around Suwayda
We are getting more reports of fighting between forces allied with Syria’s government and Druze fighters outside Suwayda.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes west of the southern region, “pitting tribal fighters and Bedouin supported by the authorities on one side, against Druze fighters on the other”.
AFP also said fighters on both sides confirmed the exchange of fire to the news agency’s correspondents.
Separately, footage published online and verified by Al Jazeera documented the sound of clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in rural Suwayda earlier today.
Other verified clips also showed the arrival of reinforcements to support the tribesmen spread throughout the area.
UN says fighting in Suwayda hurting aid operations
The UN Refugee Agency is saying it is “very concerned” by the fighting in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, which is limiting its ability to deliver aid.
“The situation in Suwayda is very concerning. It is very difficult for us to operate there,” spokesperson William Spindler told reporters in Geneva.
“At the moment, our capacity to deliver aid is very limited. We are calling on all parties to allow humanitarian access.”
As we reported earlier, families have been seen leaving Suwayda with their possessions amid fierce clashes between armed groups in recent days.
