<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish Government called this Wednesday for an "immediate" cessation of violence in southern Syria, following the deaths of more than 200 people as a result of armed clashes between Syrian government forces and local groups in the Druze city of Al-Suida and the Israeli army's bombing of Damascus.</strong></h4> In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "concern over the violence of recent days in southern Syria" and called for an "immediate cessation" of the armed clashes, which "cannot go unpunished" and for which "accountability and justice for the victims must be guaranteed." "In light of Israel's military actions in Damascus and other parts of the country, the Government urges all parties to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the call continued. "Spain reiterates its support for a peaceful and inclusive political transition in Syria," he concluded. Armed clashes between Syrian government forces and local Druze groups continued this Wednesday in the town of Al-Suwayda, near the border with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. These clashes began on Sunday and have already left more than 200 dead. The events erupted after a clash between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Ismaili Druze militias, a religious group close to Shiism and, therefore, opposed to the Sunnism of the Islamists currently governing Syria after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad's regime. Loyal soldiers and militiamen sent by Damascus to restore order have also clashed with the Druze and have been accused of serious abuses against this community. One of these Druze militias, led by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, is openly supported by Israel. In this regard, the Israeli government stated this Wednesday that it will continue bombing Syrian government forces in Damascus until they "withdraw" from Al-Suida, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself asserted that the objective of these attacks is to "save" the Druze minority. "The Syrian regime must leave the Druze in Suida alone and withdraw its forces," declared Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. "The Israel Defense Forces will continue attacking Syrian regime forces until they withdraw from the area," he added. The Israeli attacks have hit army headquarters and the area of the Presidential Palace in Damascus. For its part, the European Union has declared itself "alarmed" by these clashes and "strongly" condemned the violence against the civilian population, following reports of abuses and executions of Druze. "We urge all parties to immediately implement the ceasefire agreement, protect civilians without discrimination, and end hate speech and sectarianism," warned the EU External Action Service, which also called on "external actors" (referring to Israel) to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
