The Syrian government denies that its forces are preparing to deploy to the city of Sweida.

Syria's Interior Ministry spokesman said on Friday that government forces are not preparing to deploy to Sweida province, according to the state news agency.

Noureddin al-Baba denied a Reuters news agency report, which quoted an Interior Ministry media official as claiming that security forces were preparing to return to the Druze-majority city of Sweida to stop clashes between Bedouin tribes and the Druze community - a religious minority in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

A fragile ceasefire was continuing in southern Syria on Friday, after a ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday temporarily halted clashes that had erupted several days earlier between Bedouin and Druze fighters in the southern province of Sweida, prompting the Syrian government to send troops to the area.

Israel also joined the conflict, with officials saying they would not allow the Islamist government in power in Syria to deploy troops in the south. Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian troops in Sweida and on the Syrian Defense Ministry, even near the presidential palace in Damascus.
After the ceasefire was announced on Wednesday, Syrian troops withdrew from Sweida, but clashes resumed late Thursday between Bedouin and Druze fighters.

The Israeli army launched new attacks last night in the Sweida province.

Describing Syria's new rulers as disguised jihadists, Israel has pledged to protect the Druze community in the area from attacks.

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Israel's deep distrust of Syria's new Islamist leadership is clashing with the stance of the US, which has announced that it does not support the recent Israeli attacks in Syria.

The US intervened to help broker the previous ceasefire between government forces and Druze fighters, and the White House said on Thursday that it appeared to be working.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has worked to strengthen relations with the US, accused Israel of trying to divide Syria and promised to protect the Druze community in the country.