The Growing Anger in Southern Syria

In the tense border region between Israel and Syria, things have been heating up. The locals in southern Syria are getting more and more upset with the Israeli military presence. This anger boiled over in a recent deadly clash in the city of Nawa, in Syria's Daraa province. The trouble started late one Wednesday night. Mosque loudspeakers called on people to stand up against the Israeli forces. Syrian reports say that at least 10 civilians lost their lives in the chaos that followed. Israeli artillery and airstrikes added to the violence. The Israeli military claims that their troops were attacked first and that they responded by taking out the attackers. The next day, Nawa was quiet, with empty streets and videos of mass funerals circulating online. People were chanting against Israel, showing just how deep the frustration runs. This wasn't the first time something like this has happened. Back in March, there was another serious incident near the village of Kuwaya. Syrian sources say between five and seven people were killed. The Israeli military says they were fired upon and returned fire. The Israeli military's actions are meant to keep them safe, but they're also making the locals angrier. In places like Daraa, Quneitra, and the Damascus countryside, people are feeling the heat. They say Israeli forces are patrolling daily, setting up checkpoints, and even searching their phones. Things have gotten worse in Quneitra, where Israeli forces have reportedly killed livestock, detained herds, and restricted access to farmland. Locals say they're constantly under fire from new Israeli military posts, often while they're just tending to their sheep. At Al-Mantra Dam, a popular spot for families, residents say they're repeatedly shot at by Israeli troops. They've even been threatened with arrest if they return to the area. The dam is crucial for the region's agriculture and livestock, which are the main ways people make a living. Locals are wondering why the Israeli military is acting this way, especially since there doesn't seem to be a clear military reason. The unrest in Syria is happening at a time when the country's political leadership is changing. The new regime is made up of people who were once aligned with groups Israel sees as hostile. While Israel is worried about this new leadership, the growing tension with civilians is making things even more unstable. Experts say these clashes are having a big impact across Syria. Funerals for those killed in the violence are becoming events that unite people against Israel. There's a growing sense of solidarity with Gaza, and people are asking who exactly Israel is fighting. They see Israel as pushing for Syria's fragmentation, which only deepens the tensions with civilians living near the border.