Syria’s military entered a stronghold for the Druze minority in the country’s south on Tuesday to “pursue outlaw groups,” the government said, prompting Israel to launch strikes against the forces dispatched by Damascus.

Israel deepened its military involvement in a Syrian civil conflict Tuesday, carrying out a wave of airstrikes against government troops who had deployed to the southern city of Sweida in a bid to contain an outbreak of sectarian violence.

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,