DAMASCUS: Syria’s Islamist-led government condemned what it called a “dangerous escalation” after Israeli warplanes targeted sites near the presidential palace in Damascus, marking one of the most intense Israeli bombardments of the country this year.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel followed up the initial strike with over 20 air raids across Syria, hitting military targets in Latakia, Hama, Deraa, and the outskirts of Damascus. Syrian state media reported injuries in the coastal and southern regions, and said the attack on Damascus caused a powerful explosion heard citywide.
Israel stated the strikes were meant to send a "clear message" to Syrian authorities not to threaten the Druze minority, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters and pro-government forces that left more than 100 people dead in Sweida and Damascus suburbs.
Tensions soared earlier in the week after a controversial audio recording about Prophet Mohammad PBUH, attributed to a Druze individual, circulated online, sparking violence in the Druze heartland. An alleged drone strike in Sweida killed four Druze fighters, with Syrian sources blaming Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a joint statement that they would not allow any hostile deployments south of Damascus or harm to the Druze community. Meanwhile, Syria’s presidency accused Israel of trying to destabilize the country’s fragile political landscape.
International reactions quickly followed. The United Nations criticized the strikes as a breach of Syrian sovereignty and warned of rising risks to civilians amid sectarian tensions. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both supporters of Syria’s new rulers, denounced the Israeli offensive. Germany urged all parties to avoid turning Syria into a battleground for regional conflicts.
A temporary ceasefire agreement was reached following the clashes, with Druze representatives and the Syrian government agreeing to reduce hostilities. Troops were deployed in contested towns like Jaramana, although heavy weapons surrender was not independently verified.
Druze leaders reaffirmed their allegiance to the Syrian state and rejected any calls for secession. At the same time, internal rifts remain within Syria’s ruling coalition, which has Islamist roots and is under pressure to balance inclusive governance with demands from more radical factions.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt met with Syrian interim president Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa on Friday and called on Syria’s Druze to resist Israeli involvement in their affairs.
The latest unrest comes just weeks after massacres of Alawite civilians, reportedly carried out by security forces loyal to the new rulers, highlighting the worsening sectarian landscape since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December.
