1. Damascus Condemns Israeli Strikes as ‘Dangerous Escalation’
The Syrian presidency has harshly condemned an Israeli air strike near the presidential palace in Damascus, labeling it a “dangerous escalation” and a “reprehensible” act. The attack occurred early Friday, just days after a deadly outbreak of sectarian violence targeting the Druze community in southern Syria.
In a formal statement, President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s office accused Israel of trying to destabilize the country. “This is a reckless move that exacerbates security tensions in Syria,” the statement said. It added that Syria “will not compromise its sovereignty or security and will defend the rights of its people by all available means.” The government called on Arab nations and the international community to denounce the aggression.
This marks the second Israeli strike on Syrian territory within a week. According to Israeli officials, the latest operation was intended as a warning to Syria’s transitional government, which Israel accuses of failing to protect the Druze population.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We will not allow any threats to the Druze community or deployment of Syrian forces south of Damascus.”
2. Sectarian Violence Against Druze Sparks International Alarm
The strikes come amid a deadly surge in sectarian violence between Druze fighters and pro-government forces. More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in recent clashes in the southern suburbs of Damascus, particularly Jaramana.
The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, described the attacks on his community as a “genocidal campaign.” He urged the international community to deploy peacekeeping forces and halt the atrocities.
Reconnaissance drones, believed to be Israeli, were spotted flying over Damascus and surrounding areas throughout Thursday, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Imran Khan reported that while the Israeli strike did not damage the presidential compound, it sent a clear political message. However, senior Druze leaders criticized Israel’s actions, stating they did not seek foreign intervention.
Meanwhile, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized that national unity was essential for stability. “External intervention will only lead to more division,” he warned.
3. Regional Reactions and Geopolitical Ramifications
International responses have poured in, with Qatar strongly condemning the Israeli strikes, calling them “blatant aggression” and a violation of international law. The Qatari Foreign Ministry also warned that Israel’s ongoing actions in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza risk igniting a broader regional conflict.
On the diplomatic front, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on the world to protect Syria’s minorities—particularly the Druze—from “the regime and its gangs of terror.” The Israeli government has described the Syrian transitional government as “a terror group from Idlib that took Damascus by force.”
The sectarian unrest continues to challenge the rule of President al-Sharaa, who came to power following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December. Earlier this year, Syrian security forces were accused of killing over 1,700 civilians from the Alawite community, raising further fears of a deepening ethnic conflict.
