Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Syria: Who are the Druze?
Deutsche Welle
·
July 17, 2025
Syrian minority the Druze were at the center of a new conflict, following another outbreak of violence. What began as fighting between local Bedouin groups and Druze turned into an international conflict that saw Israel bombing the center of the...
Syria ceasefire secured as condemnation of Israel’s aggression mounts
5Pillars
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July 17, 2025
A host of nations have condemned Israel’s attacks on Syria as a “gross violation” of Syrian sovereignty, amid heavy clashes between Syrian forces and Druze militia in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda. The Israeli army on Wednesday launched...
Syria vows protection for Druze as Israeli strikes escalate sectarian crisis
Switch TV
·
July 17, 2025
DAMASCUS – Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has pledged to defend the country’s Druze minority following deadly sectarian violence in Suweida province that triggered Israeli military strikes. In his first national address since the...
Syrian forces leave Sweida after ceasefire with Druze militias goes into effect
Euronews
·
July 17, 2025
Published on 17/07/2025 - 16:37 GMT+2 Syrian forces largely withdrew from the southern province of Sweida on Thursday following days of clashes with militias linked to the Druze minority. While the truce between armed groups and government forces...
Syrian President Sharaa's FIRST statement on Israeli strikes in Damascus, says, 'We are the ones who..'
DNA India
·
July 17, 2025
The Israeli military on Wednesday, i.e., July 16, stated that it struck the entrance of the Syrian army’s headquarters in Damascus, adding that the Israel Defence Force (IDF) continues to monitor developments and the regime's actions against Druze...
Syrian clashes ease after Israeli airstrikes in Damascus
The Gazette - Colorado
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Deadly sectarian clashes in Syria seemingly eased on Thursday, after a ceasefire was announced between groups fighting in Suwayda and government forces started to withdraw from the Druze-majority southern province. Syria’s interim President Ahmed...
Syria's president vows to protect Druze after Israel airstrikes
Sky News
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July 17, 2025
Syria's president has said protecting the rights of the Druze population is "our priority" after Israel warned it would destroy forces attacking the minority In a televised statement early today, Ahmed al Sharaa told the Druze "we reject any...
Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida after cease-fire goes into effect
The Boston Globe - Massachusetts
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DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian government forces largely withdrew from the southern province of Sweida Thursday following days of vicious clashes with militias of the Druze minority. Under a ceasefire agreement reached the day before, which largely...
Why Europe's first Syria deportation sets a dangerous precedent
The New Arab
·
July 17, 2025
Earlier this month, Austria became the first European country to deport a Syrian national since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024. Both the judges and the European Court of Human Rights ruled that a 32-year-old man living in Salzburg...
Explainer-Who are the Druze and why does Israel say it is hitting Syria for their sake?
The Gazette - Colorado
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(Reuters) -Violence in Syria pitting the Islamist-led government against members of the Druze community has put a spotlight on the small but influential minority. Straddling Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights,...
Who are the Druze and why is Israel striking Syria?
RTE Ireland
·
July 17, 2025
Violence in Syria pitting the Islamist-led government against members of the Druze community has put a spotlight on the small but influential minority. Straddling Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Druze...
Over 350 dead in clashes in Syria’s Suwayda province — TV
TASS
·
July 17, 2025
BEIRUT, July 17. /TASS/. At least 356 people have been killed in armed clashes between forces of the transitional government and Druze mountain self-defense units in Syria's Suwayda province, according to the television channel Sky News Arabia....
Gaza Catholic church strike kills two, China urges respect for Syria
CGTN
·
July 17, 2025
00:14 TOP HEADLINES: • Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus, blowing up part of the defense authority and hitting near the presidential palace. READ MORE BELOW • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted angrily after Israeli...
Prominent Israeli rabbis back intervention in Syria on behalf of Druze
The Times of Israel
·
July 17, 2025
Two prominent Israeli rabbis have spoken up to back the country’s decision to intervene militarily to protect the Druze community in southern Syria after days of violent clashes that left dozens of civilians dead. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber...
Netanyahu orders strikes to protect Druze minority in Syria
Straight Arrow News
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Israel launched a wave of airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday, July 16, targeting military installations in Damascus and the southern province of Sweida. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at protecting Syria’s...
Arab Writers Union stages a protest against the Israeli aggression on Syria
SANA
·
July 17, 2025
Hama, SANA – The Arab Writers Union staged on Thursday, a protest in Hama condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, and denouncing the targeting of the capital, Damascus, and other areas, including attacks on civilians and...
Syrian forces withdraw from Druze city of Sweida after Israeli strikes and US demand to pull out
The National News
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Government forces and allied militias began withdrawing from the mostly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria on Thursday, following Israeli strikes to defend the sect and US demands on Damascus to pull out. “Withdrawal of the Syrian Arab Army...
Syria's Al Sharaa says protecting Druze a 'priority' after Israel strikes Damascus
Khaleej Times
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Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority", as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria. In his first televised statement...
Syria, Druze announce ceasefire
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
·
July 17, 2025
DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syrian government officials and leaders in the Druze religious minority announced a renewed ceasefire Wednesday after days of clashes that have threatened to unravel the country's postwar political transition and drawn military...
Syria says local leaders to take control of violence-hit Sweida
Zaman Al Wsl
·
July 17, 2025
The Syrian government announced Thursday that local leaders would assume control over security in the city of Sweida in an attempt to end violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and prompted Israel’s military intervention in support of the...