SWEIDA (Reuters) -A leading Druze spiritual leader accused the Syrian leadership in Damascus of bombarding the southern city of Sweida despite having reached an agreement to quell violence, and he called on fighters to confront Syrian troops entering the city.

Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday.

Samaria Council Head Yossi Dagan urges Israeli government to increase military action, until massacre of Druze community stops, stressing Israel’s role as a regional power protecting its loyal allies.

Damascus has moved in to the city of Sweida after violent clashes between Bedouins, government forces and Druze left around 100 dead. In response, Israel's airforce, acting as the Druze minority's self-proclaimed protectors,

The UK is to start processing Syrian asylum claims again, more than seven months after decisions were paused following the fall of the Assad regime. Asylum minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Home Office had "worked to lift the pause as soon as there was sufficient information to make accurate and well-evidenced determinations".

Syrian army begins withdrawing heavy military equipment from Suwayda to hand over city’s neighborhoods to internal security forces - Anadolu Ajansı

Intense clashes resumed in Sweida on Monday, local news reported. Israel said it struck tanks in a town in the same province on the same day.