CAIRO - Several Middle Eastern countries on Tuesday condemned Israel's military intervention in the clashes in Syria's southern province of Sweida among local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces respectively.

Israel’s government said it was acting in defense of the Druze community, a minority group the Jewish state has pledged to protect.

The longtime enemies have opened contacts, reflecting a power shift across a Middle East in which they have newfound common ground: antipathy for Iran.

Syrian activist relays discussion with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa about his interest in peace deal with Israel, but several key issues remain between the two countries.

Sectarian violence erupted again in southern Syria as local Sunni Bedouin tribes fought armed factions for the Druze religious community. The Syrian government dispatched troops to restore order, and Israel launched airstrikes to protect the Druze.

Troops locate explosives, rockets at 'key' commando bases in operation aimed at keeping arms from being smuggled to Lebanon; deadly clashes break out in Druze area