Syrian militia threatens Israel, Druze over Suwayda region

Armed militia members linked to the forces of Syria's new al-Shara'a regime and operating in the south near the Druze province of Suwayda have released a video threatening Israel and the Druze community in the region.

The threat follows earlier reports that the Syrian regime fears Israel is arming and training Druze in the country's south, and may even support them in a coming offensive to retake villages from which they were expelled during last year's massacre carried out by regime forces.

The armed group, which according to reports operates in southern Syria under the al-Shara'a regime's chain of command, issued a direct and sharp warning to Israel and the Druze.

In the video, a large group of armed men can be seen holding a wide array of weapons, from light assault rifles to heavy machine guns and missile launchers.

Syrian fighters' threat video (Photo: uncredited, via social media)

The armed group warned in the video: "We caution the Zionist entity against any military intervention that touches Daraa, Suwayda and Syria, we will respond with the force that Allah has given us."

"Any aggression against our people in Hauran" - the region now controlled by the militias and partly taken from Druze hands - "will cause us to respond with an iron fist, and we are in full readiness to sacrifice our souls, our homes and our families for this blessed land."

They concluded: "We emphasize to you, O infidels, that we will never give up our soil and our country, and we will give everything in our possession."

The Syrian threat comes after reports of real concerns within the regime over the possibility of a Druze attack with Israeli backing on territories the Syrian regime has held since expelling the Druze residents.