JERUSALEM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that it struck military infrastructure sites in southwestern Syria overnight to defend members of the country's Druze population.

The statement added that the strikes were carried out in response to the attacks against the residents of the Druze city of Suwayda.

The Israeli army said that it struck a command center and weapons in military compounds belonging to the Syrian regime.

"The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them," said the statement.

"The IDF continues to monitor developments in southern Syria and will operate in accordance with directives from the political echelon," it noted. ■