For today, links to four reports: from the Cradle, Middle East Eye, the Anadolu Agency, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA 5-2-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  IRAN, YEMEN, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel evacuates Syrian Druze, deploys forces to ‘defend’ minority. From the Cradle. Israeli forces have deployed to southern Syria in the wake of a week of fighting between Druze militias and Sunni extremists affiliated with the Syrian government, the Israeli military announced today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel launches further air strikes on Syria amid Druze tensions. From Middle East Eye. Israel launched around 20 air strikes on Syria late today in what the country’s new rulers branded as a “dangerous escalation.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel hit military targets across Syria in the “heaviest” bombardment so far this year. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Anadolu Agency.

–   –   –

FROM MAY 2  What is behind the latest round of clashes in Syria between Druze and pro-government gunmen, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — Four days of clashes between pro-government gunmen and members of a minority sect in Syria have left nearly 100 people dead and raised fears of deadly sectarian violence. The country is deeply divided as it tries . . . READ MORE . . .

.