Since Monday, Israel has launched airstrikes on various sites within Syria, citing the need to protect the Druze minority amid violent sectarian clashes in southern Syria. “Our commitment to defend the Druze community is unwavering,” an Israeli official stated.
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Although Israel and Syria have been technically at war for decades, Israel has made clear that it will not tolerate the presence of forces associated with the Islamist-led Syrian government in the southern regions bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israeli Defense Minister asserted, “We will not stand by while threats loom at our doorstep.”
The recent strikes commenced after Syrian government forces began moving into the core areas of the Druze community located in Sweida province. This escalated following deadly confrontations involving Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes. Israel has indicated that it plans to amplify its military actions if Syrian forces fail to retreat from this sensitive area.
On the previous day, Israel reportedly targeted the Syrian army headquarters in Damascus, a compound that also accommodates the defense ministry. Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions near the presidential palace, where the Israeli military claimed to have struck a “military target.” Following these events, Syrian state television confirmed additional Israeli strikes, resulting in the destruction of a wing of a four-story building at the compound. Tragically, the health ministry reported that at least three lives were lost in these attacks.
In Sweida city, known for its predominantly Druze population, Israeli aerial operations have intensified. Just yesterday, the Syrian news agency SANA reported a drone strike in the area, while the day before, Israel had targeted military vehicles belonging to the Syrian regime. Over the preceding days, Israeli forces hit multiple government tanks stationed in the province. The Druze community, followers of a unique faith that diverged from Shia Islam, is predominantly found in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a tragic toll has emerged: more than 300 individuals have lost their lives since Sunday due to the violence between Druze forces, Bedouin tribes, government forces, and Israeli strikes. Among the deceased were 165 government troops and 27 Druze civilians, reportedly victims of ‘summary executions attributed to members of the defense and interior ministries,’ the Observatory revealed.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has called for the immediate withdrawal of Syrian forces from the south, vowing to “act decisively in Sweida to neutralize the elements threatening the Druze until their complete departure.” Katz stated, “The signals to Damascus are over; now the painful strikes begin,” while sharing footage of explosions on social media.
In response, Syria termed the Israeli strikes as a “dangerous escalation,” reiterating its “legitimate rights to defend its land and people.” Despite having initiated discussions with the newly formed Syrian government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, Israel remains cautious regarding the Islamist-led administration. Since December, after Sharaa’s coalition helped in overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad, Israel has conducted numerous attacks on military objectives in Syria, asserting that its primary aim is to prevent weapons from reaching the new regime.
In a notable context, around 153,000 Druze live in Israel and enjoy citizenship rights, yet unlike other Israeli Arabs, they are obligated to serve in the military. Recent incidents highlight tensions at the border, as Israeli forces deployed tear gas to deter groups of Druze from crossing into Syria.
Amidst this turbulence, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced yesterday that an agreement had been reached. “We have engaged all parties involved in the clashes in Syria and have established specific steps to bring this distressing situation to a resolution,” Rubio reported on X.
“This will require all parties to fulfill their commitments. Immediate action is essential to restore stability,” he added.
The European Union has urged all external actors to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli strikes. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the Israeli airstrikes, calling for an end to the violence.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
