Israel's dangerous strategy in Syria

LeMonde

18-07-2025

The Syrian transition, which was already fragile, became even more uncertain following Israeli airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, July 16. These attacks constituted unacceptable violations of international law and of Syria's sovereignty. Israel justified its actions by presenting itself as the protector of the Druze community, which is present in Lebanon, in the Syrian Golan Heights unilaterally annexed by Israel, and in Syria.
These Israeli strikes, justified as a homage to past colonial powers who were quick to play the sectarian card for their own interests, came after deadly clashes. The fighting involved armed Druze militiamen fighting against gunmen from Bedouin tribes supported by the new regime's forces. The fighting took place south of Damascus, particularly in Sweida, a city with a Druze majority.
Following the fall of the al-Assad dynasty after half a century of dictatorship, and the rise of a new jihadist-led government on December 8, 2024, the reopening of old wounds in Syria was inevitable. Despite the rhetoric of the new strongman in Damascus, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who claimed he wanted to include the country's diverse sectarian groups in the new institutions, acts of vengeance and score-settling have been unfolding for more than six months. The Alawite community, often associated with the horrors of the fallen regime, has been the first to fall victim.
'Remaking' the Middle East
Exploited by Israel, the clashes between the Druze and Syrian government forces are worrying. They added to an already long list of Israeli interventions in Syria, which began when Bashar al-Assad fled the country.
Taking advantage of the situation, Israel systematically destroyed the remaining defense infrastructure of a country left in ruins after a decade of civil war. It also violated its own commitments by establishing positions in the buffer zone created after its conquest of Syria's Golan Heights. This move was intended to further restrict the access of Syrian forces to their own territory. Israel also made no secret of its displeasure when US President Donald Trump lifted American sanctions that had made reconstruction in Syria impossible.
Such actions raise questions about the "remaking" of the Middle East, a concept championed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose military dominance was dramatically demonstrated by the airstrikes against Iran from June 13 to 23. While far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich openly called for the dismantling of Syria, Netanyahu seemed to believe that keeping countries without peace treaties with Israel in a state of instability – or even humiliating them – is a guarantee of his country's security.
This is a particularly risky gamble, both for a region desperately seeking calm and for Israel itself. Given what is at stake, it is unfortunate that the United States has refused to use its influence on Netanyahu to establish the boundaries that should not be crossed.