The Syrian government's security forces sent to restore order in the city of Sweida, where clashes broke out on Sunday, have also become embroiled in battles with local groups.
At least 99 people have been killed, according to the British-based Syrian Human Rights Observatory (SOHR). Among the dead are 60 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouins, 14 Syrian soldiers and a further seven unidentified individuals in military uniforms, according to SOHR.
The violence is said to have been triggered by a series of kidnappings between Druze and Bedouins in the area, where clashes have repeatedly broken out between the groups.
The majority of Sweida's population is Druze.
Israel, which has previously threatened to intervene to defend the Druze religious minority in Syria, stated on Monday that the country's military has struck at tanks in the southern parts of the country.
Syrian forces took control of the Druze village of Al-Mazraa, northwest of Sweida, where Bedouin warriors were also present, according to AFP.
Syrian authorities told the news agency that the army is approaching Sweida.
The violence is the first with fatal consequences since Druze and security forces clashed in May, resulting in dozens of deaths. SOHR describes the escalation as "dramatic".
