Syria’s foreign ministry has condemned Israeli airstrikes on the southern province of Sweida, calling them “a blatant act of aggression” and holding Israel fully responsible for the resulting casualties and escalation of violence.

According to the Syrian authorities, Israeli warplanes carried out air raids on security positions in and around the city of Sweida on Tuesday, killing both government forces and civilians. Syria’s interim government declared its “legitimate right to self-defense,” stressing its commitment to protect all citizens, especially the Druze community in Sweida.

The strikes come amid deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouin armed groups, and Syrian security forces. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 166 people have died in Sweida since Sunday, including 67 civilians—among them women and children. The watchdog also accused Syrian forces of committing grave human rights abuses, including looting, home destruction, and summary executions.

SOHR released footage showing homes burned and civilians mistreated by Syrian security personnel. Among the dead were 78 fighters from the defense forces, police, and Bedouin groups, as well as 21 individuals reportedly executed by Syrian forces in the field.

The violence was sparked by the assault and robbery of a Druze youth by Bedouin militants, which led to retaliatory kidnappings and fierce street battles in Sweida. Although a ceasefire was brokered by local elders, Israeli strikes and sporadic clashes persisted Tuesday, causing panic among residents.

Civilians fled the city in large numbers, seeking safety in rural areas, while videos also surfaced showing Druze fighters abusing captured Syrian soldiers.

The Syrian government has urged unity against what it termed “foreign plots” aimed at destabilizing the region and fracturing its communities.