Israel Prepares to Defend Druze Community Near Damascus
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the military has been instructed to prepare for the defense of a Druze settlement near Damascus, following claims that the minority community is under attack by Syrian forces.
Key Developments:
- Israeli Military Orders: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the military to take defensive measures for the Druze population in Syria.
- Tensions in Jaramana: The move follows clashes in the Druze settlement of Jaramana, where a Syrian security officer was killed after firing into the air, triggering an armed confrontation.
- Cross-Border Concerns: Israel had previously warned Syria’s new government and the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham not to enter southern Syria, where Israeli forces remain stationed.
- Military Presence in Syria: Israeli forces have recently expanded their presence in the buffer zone and on Mount Hermon, signaling a possible deeper involvement in Syria’s ongoing instability.
Israeli Position:
In a firm statement, Israeli officials declared that they would not allow Syrian forces to endanger the Druze community.
“We will not allow the terrorist regime of radical Islam in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms the Druze, it will be harmed by us,” the Defense Ministry said.
Syrian Response & Regional Impact:
- Syria’s government has yet to officially respond to Israel’s statement.
- The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported further clashes between Druze fighters and armed groups from the Damascus suburb of Mleiha, resulting in casualties.
- Israel’s military presence in parts of southern Syria remains indefinite, with demands for the complete demilitarization of key provinces such as Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida.
As tensions escalate, Israel faces growing pressure to protect both the Druze community in Syria and Israeli residents near the northern border. With ongoing instability in Syria and no clear resolution in sight, Israel’s latest military actions indicate a deepening involvement in the region’s security dynamics.
