💣 Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes on Damascus to Protect Syria’s Druze Minority
Missile strikes rock Syrian capital as Israel declares it will shield Druze communities from government forces.
In a dramatic escalation, Israel launched intense airstrikes on Damascus Wednesday, targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry and striking near the presidential palace. The move follows rising violence in southern Syria and Israel’s vow to defend the country’s embattled Druze minority from what it calls “jihadist-led government forces.”
“We will not tolerate the deployment of these forces near our border or near Druze civilians,” an Israeli military spokesperson stated.
🎯 Strategic Targets Hit
Eyewitnesses and reporters in the capital described:
- Low-flying Israeli warplanes
- Dozens of heavy strikes
- Explosions near the heart of government power
Satellite imagery and on-the-ground footage show heavy damage to military infrastructure, especially near the Defense Ministry and the presidential compound, currently occupied by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
🛑 Israel Draws a Red Line
Despite recent warming diplomatic channels between the U.S. and the new Syrian administration, Israel has sharply criticized the new leadership as “barely disguised jihadists”.
Israeli officials argue that:
- The new Islamist-led government poses a threat to border stability
- Syrian government forces are attacking Druze-majority areas
- Sweida, a predominantly Druze city, has become a war zone in recent days
Fierce clashes have erupted there between Druze fighters, government forces, and Bedouin tribal militias, leaving scores dead and displacing thousands.
🧕 Who Are the Druze?
The Druze are a small, secretive religious and ethnic minority present in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. They have:
- A long history of self-defense
- Often faced persecution from larger powers
- A deep connection with land and identity
In Israel, the Druze community is highly integrated, and many have served in the military. Public calls from Israeli Druze leaders to protect their kin in Syria have intensified political pressure on Tel Aviv.
🔥 Regional Repercussions
The strikes may upend the fragile security cooperation that was beginning to form between Israel and Syria’s new rulers under U.S. observation.
Key questions arise:
- Will this escalate into direct conflict with Syria’s government?
- How will Washington respond?
- Can the Druze survive caught between Islamists, the Syrian army, and foreign powers?
“This is not just about Syria. It’s about how far Israel will go to defend its borders—and its people abroad,” said a regional analyst in Amman.
By ✍️ Tammy Castillo- MicuPost Team
Sources:
