Israel’s military has conducted air strikes near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, following accusations that the Syrian government has failed to safeguard the Druze minority from ongoing sectarian violence. This attack, which occurred early on Friday, marks the second strike by Israel within the same week and serves as a pointed warning to the transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated that the strikes send a clear message to Syria: Israel will not tolerate any threats to the Druze community or allow Syrian forces to operate south of Damascus. This comes amid escalating violence in Syria, where over 100 individuals have reportedly died in clashes between pro-government forces and Druze fighters.
The violence has drawn condemnation from Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the Druze spiritual leader, who described the situation as a “genocidal campaign.” He has called for immediate international intervention to protect the Druze and restore peace. Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged the global community to step up and protect minorities in Syria, particularly the Druze, from what he describes as terror from the regime.
The Druze, a religious minority with roots in a branch of Shia Islam, primarily reside in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Many in this community have historically aligned with Israel, with numerous Druze serving in the Israeli military. The recent violence highlights the precarious situation for the Druze in Syria, especially following a massacre in March where over 1,700 civilians from the Alawite community were killed by security forces and allied groups.
In response to the escalating crisis, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has called for national unity, suggesting that external intervention would only exacerbate the situation. He emphasized that stability can only be achieved through internal cohesion.
The ongoing sectarian violence poses a significant challenge to al-Sharaa’s transitional government, which has been in power since a coalition of rebel groups ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December. As the conflict continues to unfold, the safety of minority communities like the Druze remains a pressing concern in the region.