Israeli Enemy Steps up Attacks on Syria as Sweida Ceasefire Collapses
Although Syrian Interior Ministry announced ceasefire in Sweida, several reports indicated that continuation of clashes and Israeli raids on Damascus.
Syrian and Israeli media reported Israeli strikes targeting several areas across Damascus and Sweida, with Zionist defense minister warning of more attacks under the pretext of 'defending the Druze community' in the southern Syrian governorate.
The Israeli occupation military announced it had struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus. Another strike was reported in the Syrian capital later on Wednesday, with reports saying the target was the area of the Presidential Palace.
⚡️🇸🇾🇮🇱BREAKING:
Israel has bombed the Syria's Ministry of Defense headquarters in Damascus, launching multiple airstrikes.
Three of the strikes also targeted areas near the presidential palace in the capital. pic.twitter.com/wbpbq8OAiX
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) July 16, 2025
Israeli DM Israel Katz said in a statement that the Israeli military had struck the entrance of the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus. He warned the new authorities in Damascus to withdraw from Sweida.
More strikes were also reported in Sweida, Syrian media reported, adding that Israeli drones where spotted in the southern city and the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, Fierce fighting has resumed in the southern city, a major center for the Druze community, since a ceasefire announced by the Syrian government on Tuesday swiftly collapsed.
Druze groups and Syrian authorities trade blame over the ceasefire collapse, with each party accusing the other of launching attacks.
Syrian Defense Ministry officials blamed 'outlaw groups' for breaking the ceasefire and attacking government troops.
For its part, Syrian presidency commented on news of executions and other abuses made against Druze community in Sweida, vowing to punish those who committed violations.
الدولة السورية تدين الانتهاكات بحق أهلنا في السويداء وتتعهد بالمحاسبة#رئاسة_الجمهورية_العربية_السورية pic.twitter.com/fgP0KkDC7p
— رئاسة الجمهورية العربية السورية (@SyPresidency) July 16, 2025
In a statement, the presidency said they 'strongly condemn these heinous acts and affirm our full commitment to investigating all related incidents and punishing all those proven to be involved.'
Meanwhile, the UK-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said on Wednesday more than 250 people had been killed in four days of fighting.
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