A Druze source in Syria's southern Sweida province has dismissed reports of plans to establish an Israeli military base in the province's southeastern countryside. The source, described as opposing the policies of Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the claims were "media rumors with no basis on."
The same source also denied reports that the so-called National Guard was preparing to launch a major offensive against areas under Syrian government control and neighboring Daraa province.