Syrian government forces were advancing towards the southern city of Sweida on Monday to quell deadly clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, with one Druze armed group saying talks with authorities aimed at brokering a truce were underway.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported 99 people killed since the fighting erupted on Sunday -- 60 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel and seven unidentified people in military uniforms.

As the violence escalated, Israel -- which has previously warned it would intervene in Syria to protect the Druze -- said it struck "several tanks" in the area as a "warning" to Damascus

An AFP correspondent saw Syrian forces on Monday take control of the Druze village of Al-Mazraa, where Bedouin fighters were also located.

A commander, Ezzeddine al-Shamayer, told AFP the forces "are heading toward Sweida" city.

In a statement, the interior ministry declared that "army and internal security forces have moved closer to the centre" of Sweida province.

Bassem Fakhr, spokesperson for the Men of Dignity movement, one of the largest Druze........

© Al Monitor