Israel strikes Damascus: Why IDF targeted Syria's military HQ; all you need to know about Druze crisis and Sweida clashes
Israel launched rare airstrikes deep into Damascus on Wednesday, targeting Syria's military headquarters and a site near the presidential palace. Israeli officials said the strikes were aimed at protecting Syria's Druze minority amid escalating violence in southern Syria.
According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military struck the entrance of the Syrian General Staff compound and a "military target" near the presidential palace. The Syrian health ministry confirmed at least one death and 18 injuries from the Damascus strikes.
AFP images showed damage to buildings in the defense ministry complex as smoke rose over Damascus.
Why Israel is involved
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Damascus to 'leave the Druze in Sweida alone' and threatened "painful blows" unless Syrian forces withdrew from the region.
Israeli forces were also reportedly redeployed from Gaza to the border with Syria to prevent potential spillover.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's position, stating that southern Syria must remain demilitarized to safeguard Israeli territory and the Druze community, which also has a large population in Israel.
What's happening in Sweida
Clashes erupted in the majority-Druze city of Sweida earlier this week between Druze armed groups and Syrian government forces.
Witnesses claimed that Syrian troops, instead of enforcing a ceasefire, sided with Bedouin tribes against Druze fighters and civilians.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 300 deaths in Sweida province since Sunday, including 27 Druze civilians allegedly executed by Syrian forces. Videos and images showed looted homes and abuse of Druze religious figures.
Syrian state media announced a renewed ceasefire on Wednesday after an earlier attempt failed, deploying security checkpoints across Sweida city.
However, sporadic gunfire continued, raising doubts over the truce's effectiveness.
Humanitarian concerns rise
Eyewitness accounts from Druze civilians described fears for family members trapped in Sweida. Communication blackouts made it difficult to confirm the safety of residents, with reports of burned homes and executions.
Druze leaders labeled the conflict as an 'existential battle' for their community.
Internationally, the United States, France, and the European Union condemned the violence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed 'deep concern' over reports of civilian attacks.
Background: Sectarian tensions and Israel's role
The Druze, a religious minority with a population of about one million globally, are mainly based in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Syria, their relationship with successive governments has been complex.
Since the Islamist-led government replaced Bashar al-Assad last December, ethnic and religious minorities like the Druze have feared marginalization.
Israel, wary of Islamist forces near its borders, has intensified airstrikes on Syrian military targets.
Israeli officials view their actions as both a protective measure for the Druze and a strategic move to prevent hostile forces from establishing presence near Israeli-held Golan Heights.
What next?
Israeli defense minister Katz warned that if Syrian forces fail to withdraw from Sweida, Israel could scale up its intervention.
Meanwhile, despite the renewed ceasefire announcement, the situation in Sweida remains unstable, with widespread reports of civilian casualties, looting, and ongoing gunfire.
Netanyahu's government pledged to continue military action to enforce a buffer zone in southern Syria and 'safeguard the Druze.' The global community is pressing for de-escalation, but conditions on the ground suggest that violence may persist.
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