Introduction:
Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus and key civilian areas around the presidential palace. The move marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions and intensifies the ongoing sectarian conflict involving Syria’s Druze minority.
Key Highlights:
- Military & Civilian Targets Struck
Israeli warplanes hit the entrance of Syria’s defense ministry headquarters and surrounding civilian infrastructure in the capital and Suweida province. These strikes reportedly injured nine people, according to the Syrian Health Ministry. - Defense Minister Katz Announces “Painful Blows”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, declared on social media that “warnings in Damascus have ended—now painful blows will come,” signaling a sustained strike campaign in southern Syria. He emphasized that the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, is committed to protecting the Druze community. - IDF Confirms Strategic Strikes
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed targeting regime military HQ in Damascus “on orders from Israeli politicians” and monitoring threats against Druze civilians. Surveillance footage posted on X and Israeli TV shows a direct strike on a Damascus building. - Damascus Condemns “Illegal” Assaults
Syria’s foreign ministry denounced the attacks as criminal, illegal, and aimed at inflaming tensions. The bombings inflicted extensive damage on civilian facilities and government infrastructure near Damascus’s presidential palace.
Context: Druze‑Bedouin Conflict in Southern Syria
Armed clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin fighters erupted near Suweida last weekend after a Druze merchant was allegedly abducted near Damascus. At least 200 people have died since Sunday, according to UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Israel has stepped in, targeting Syrian government forces in an effort to protect the Druze minority.
Regional Fallout & Diplomatic Fallout
- Druze Community Protection: Netanyahu and Katz have vowed to defend the Syrian Druze from regime abuses.
- International Outrage: Turkey, Lebanon, and Iraq condemned the strikes, calling them violations of sovereignty and international law.
