Syrian government forces seize Druze village: AFP

Syrian government forces are moving closer to the city of Suwayda, following their capture of the nearby Druze village of Al-Mazraa, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). 

The reporter observed units affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense positioned inside Al-Mazraa on Monday, continuing their push toward the provincial capital. The military deployment comes amid escalating violence between Druze fighters and Bedouins that has left dozens dead in recent days.

A field commander, Ezzeddine al-Shamayer, confirmed the advance, stating, “We are heading toward Suwayda.”

As chaos spread across villages near Suwayda city, the Israeli Occupation announced it had struck "several tanks" in the area, citing its longstanding pledge to intervene in Syria to defend the Druze community.

The violence reportedly began on Sunday after Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vegetable vendor along the Damascus highway. The kidnapping sparked swift retaliatory abductions and ignited armed confrontations in multiple parts of Suwayda province.

Despite hostages being released, the fighting continued into Monday, with mortar rounds hitting several villages. Streets in Suwayda city emptied, shops shuttered, and funerals for the dead were marked by sporadic gunfire.