Israel launched strikes Tuesday against Syrian government forces in the Druze-majority region of Sweida, saying it was acting to protect the religious minority.Damascus had deployed troops to Sweida after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed more than 100 people.

Loud gunfire and smoke were seen and heard over Sweida in southern Syria on Tuesday, after the defence minister announced a ceasefire following the entry of government forces into a key city in the province.

The Syrian government deployed its forces in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, in a bid by the Islamist authorities to extend their power to the area controlled by local armed groups.

Israel carried out strikes against Syrian government forces in southern Syria, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

The Iranian foreign ministry's spokesman has expressed concern over clashes in Syria and lambasted the UN Security Council's inaction in the face of the Israeli regime's aggression on Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

Syrian forces had deployed in the southern city of Sweida, despite Israeli warnings, trying to contain clashes between members of the Druze minority and Bedouin.

Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.

Soldiers in Syria's armed forces walk through the southern city of Sweida where the defence ministry said they had been deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes.