Israel carried out strikes against Syrian government forces in southern Syria, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -At least 18 members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, the Defence Ministry said, after they deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes that had resumed on Monday,

Syrian government forces entered the majority Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday, the interior ministry said, aiming to end clashes with Bedouin tribes that have killed nearly 100 people.The southern city had been under the control of armed factions from the Druze minority,