Syria’s capital, Damascus– Late Thursday night, Israeli fighter planes hit near the presidential palace in Syria’s capital, Damascus, in a strong show of force. A direct message to the Syrian leadership under increasing sectarian unrest involving the country’s Druze minority, the airstrike—the second in less than a week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said together:
This is a message to the Syrian government. We will not let a movement of forces south of Damascus and any threat to the Druze people.
The Israeli army verified targeting near President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s home. Formerly connected to al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa rose to power after Bashar al-Assad’s government fell. His time has seen ongoing ethnic violence and civil turmoil.
Southern Syria Sees Growing Tensions
Intense fighting between government forces, Islamist organizations, and Druze militia in southern Syria has claimed more than 100 lives in recent days. Outrage has been stoked by an audio clip purportedly including a Druze priest making derogatory comments about the Prophet Muhammad. Later, the Syrian Interior Ministry refuted the cleric’s role.
Druze demonstrators in northern Israel, on the other hand, closed roads and called on the Israeli government to do something. Israel sent injured Syrian Druze home for medical care and increased its military presence close to the border in reaction.
Defense Minister Katz stated, “We are determined to defend the Druze.” The Syrian government is entirely responsible for stopping these attacks.
Attempting a Fragile Peace
Late Thursday, Syrian officials and Druze leaders revealed a temporary deal to lower tensions. A remarkable change in attitude, several Druze leaders have even expressed readiness to work with the government.
The circumstances are nonetheless unstable, though. Since Assad’s collapse, Israel has carried out about 800 strikes in Syria and still keeps a buffer zone close to the Golan Heights. The strategic closeness of Druze villages to Israel makes this battle very personal for both sides.
What Comes After?
Further military intervention cannot be ruled out given sectarian unrest endangering Syria’s delicate transition and Israeli authorities promising protection for the Druze. Whether calm or escalation will prevail will be decided in the next few days.
