Israeli Airstrikes Target Syria Amidst Sectarian Violence Affecting Druze Community
At least four people have died following an Israeli airstrike in the southern province of Suweida, a region that is primarily home to the Druze community. The area has recently experienced escalating violence and sectarian tensions, with reports indicating that more than 15 individuals have died across Syria as these tensions rise.
Israel conducted a series of bombings on Friday, which some observers believe is part of a strategic move to protect the Druze minority amidst ongoing clashes with the Syrian government in both southern Damascus and Suweida province, where many Druze reside.
According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, at least four casualties were reported from the Israeli strike that targeted the town of Karaker, further intensifying the already precarious situation.
The Israeli military issued a statement affirming its presence in southern Syria and its readiness to intervene against hostile forces threatening the Druze towns. This announcement coincided with recent troop deployments from the government, which included security forces affiliated with Islamist factions. Israel perceives these forces as a significant threat, particularly following an agreement reached between the Syrian government and Druze community leaders—a deal that met with mixed reactions from within the community itself.
On the same day, Israel dropped two bombs near the presidential palace in Damascus, sending a clear warning to the Syrian regime under President Ahmad Al Sharaa, a leader with historical ties to radical Islamist groups. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized in a joint statement that the Israeli government would not tolerate any threats to the Druze community nor allow Syrian troops to advance south of Damascus.
Tensions have flared since armed clashes broke out on Tuesday between Druze men and Syrian security forces in various neighborhoods of southern Damascus and Suweida. These skirmishes reportedly began after an audio recording surfaced, allegedly from a Druze cleric, which contained insults directed at the prophet Muhammad. The resulting uproar led to fatalities on both sides, including innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
In response to the airstrikes, the Syrian Presidency condemned the bombings, labeling them as a serious escalation against the sovereignty of the Syrian state. They argued that such Israeli actions are intended to destabilize the nation and disrupt the unity of the Syrian people.
The European Union chimed in from Brussels, urging all parties involved to respect Syria’s independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. They also called upon Israel to adhere to the terms of a 1974 withdrawal agreement that established a demilitarized zone adjacent to the Golan Heights—an area Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed. Since the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime last December, Israel has expanded its military presence in southern Syria, exacerbating tensions further.
In the context of these events, the Druze population in the occupied Golan Heights—which includes Druze Arab citizens of Israel—complicates the situation. Israel has thus positioned itself as a protector of the Druze community, a role that adds a layer of complexity to an already multifaceted crisis.
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