Israel intensifies Syria attacks with strikes on Damascus
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Israel launched strikes on the Syrian Defence Ministry in Damascus on Wednesday, escalating its attacks on the country which it says are in defence of the Druze community.
The context: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it targeted the gates of the Syrian military headquarters as well as parts of southern Syria and is “prepared for various scenarios” as it monitors developments and the Syrian regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria.
Israel has been intensifying its attacks across Syria since Monday, having vowed to protect the Druze minority from Syrian government loyalists.
Over the weekend, violence broke out between Druze forces and Bedouin tribes in the southern Syrian town of Suwayda, prompting the Syrian government’s involvement.
US special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, called the situation “worrisome” and urged Israel to halt strikes.
On Wednesday, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said that the IDF “will continue operating with force in Suwayda to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze, until their complete withdrawal.”
“To our Druze brothers in Israel - you can count on the Israel Defense Forces to protect your brothers in Syria. (Israeli) Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as defense minister, have made a commitment - and we will honor it,” he said in a statement.
At least one person was killed and 18 others were injured in the attacks, the Syrian health ministry told CNN.
The explosion in Damascus was televised in the background of a Syrian news briefing.
The sources: WSJ, IDF X post, Bloomberg, CNN
