Syrian government forces had largely pulled out of the Druze-majority southern province of Sweida after days of clashes with militias linked to the Druze religious minority that threatened to unravel the country’s fragile post-war transition.

The Israeli military attacked southern Syria on Thursday following airstrikes on Damascus the previous day. Israel has launched the military campaign after members of the minority Druze community and Bedouin tribes clashed in southern Syria, prompting the interim government to send troops.