Tensions rise as Israel intervenes for the second time this week, signaling its commitment to safeguarding the Druse population.
Israel Strikes Syrian Capital Amid Escalating Sectarian Clashes
Israel Strikes Syrian Capital Amid Escalating Sectarian Clashes
Israeli airstrikes target Damascus in response to violence affecting the Druse community.
Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus early Friday. This military action marks the second intervention by Israel within days, coinciding with a surge of sectarian clashes resulting in over 100 fatalities. The violence primarily involves Syrian government forces and militants from the Druse minority—a group that practices a secretive faith derived from Islam and maintains strong cultural ties with the Druse community in Israel.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the strikes serve as a warning to the Syrian regime. “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime," they proclaimed, asserting that Israel would not tolerate movements of hostile forces near south Damascus that might jeopardize the Druse population.
The Israeli military's statement confirmed that the airstrike targeted an area near the palace of President Ahmed Hussein al-Shara. A former Al Qaeda affiliate, al-Shara recently took power amid a rebel coalition's toppling of Bashar al-Assad last December. Israeli leaders regard him with caution.
Following the attack, images shared on social media captured smoke rising over Damascus, although there were no immediate statements from Syrian officials regarding the aftermath of the strikes or the extent of the damage caused.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the strikes serve as a warning to the Syrian regime. “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime," they proclaimed, asserting that Israel would not tolerate movements of hostile forces near south Damascus that might jeopardize the Druse population.
The Israeli military's statement confirmed that the airstrike targeted an area near the palace of President Ahmed Hussein al-Shara. A former Al Qaeda affiliate, al-Shara recently took power amid a rebel coalition's toppling of Bashar al-Assad last December. Israeli leaders regard him with caution.
Following the attack, images shared on social media captured smoke rising over Damascus, although there were no immediate statements from Syrian officials regarding the aftermath of the strikes or the extent of the damage caused.
