Israel strikes Syrian army compound in response to Druze violence
An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson said in a statement that the military has acted "in accordance with the directives of the political leadership, and continues to be on alert to face various scenarios."
Syrian state television Al-Ekhbariya reported two civilians were injured in what it described as "Israeli aggression" targeting central Damascus.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has accused the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa of conducting hostile acts against minorities, particularly the Druze.
He described it as "an unelected regime that seized power by force of arms" and questioned how long the international community would tolerate the situation.
"Israel's interests in this country are well known: to keep the situation as it is and to ensure that southern Syria does not pose a threat," Sa'ar said at a press conference.
Meanwhile, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said a decision was made to "reinforce the number of forces in the area of the security fence on the border with Syria."
According to Adraee, Israel "will not allow a military threat to exist in the south of the country."
Israeli airstrikes also targeted Syrian military positions in Sweida province, where armed clashes have resumed. Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a direct message to Damascus, demanding Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida and "leave the Druze alone".
"The Syrian regime must pull back and leave the Druze community in Sweida alone," Katz said. Israel, Katz added, "will not abandon the Druze in Syria" and will "enforce the disarmament policy that has been approved."
In Syria's Sweida province, tensions have escalated into open conflict in recent days, where armed clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups have resulted in dozens of casualties.
The Druze — a group that split from Ismaili Shi'ism in the 10th century — are concentrated in Sweida and certain Damascus suburbs such as Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya.
During Syria's 14-year civil war, Druze factions formed their own militias and have remained largely self-governed.
While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus.
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