International Organization Urges Israel to Halt Aggressions
Diving into the Israel-Syria Tensions
On a Saturday drama unfolded as the UN called on Israel to halt its military attacks in neighboring Syria, following an escalation of these confrontations in response to violent sectarian clashes. The previous day, one of Israel's strikes targeted an area near Damascus' presidential palace. Israel considered this attack as a "clear message" to the Syrian regime, offering support for the Druze minority after attacks against them.
The Syrian government, led by President Ahmad al-Chareh, described this strike as a dangerous escalation, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding all communities, including the Druze minority. The Druze, a minority branch of Shia Islam, have been entangled in a complex tug-of-war in Syria.
The ongoing violence in Syria, now five months post the takeover of President Bashar al-Assad by radical Islamic rebels on December 8, emphasizes the country's persistent instability. Israel has historically conducted numerous strikes against Syrian regime targets and its allies, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah. Today, Israel views the new authorities in Damascus, affiliated with the jihadist movement, with suspicion.
Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, condemned the increasing violations of Syrian sovereignty by Israel, calling for an immediate halt to the attacks and for Israel to respect international law.
The strikes intensified following sectarian violence at the beginning of the week near Damascus between armed groups linked to the regime and Druze fighters. The bloody clashes left over 100 dead according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). In response, more than 20 strikes targeted military sites in Syria, claimed by the NGO as the most violent this year.
This conflict spiraled on Monday night in Jaramana and Sahnaya, near Damascus, with Druze and Christian residents, and in Sweida (South) due to an attack by regime-affiliated armed groups after the dissemination of an audio message deemed blasphemous against the Prophet Muhammad.
Though calm was re-established on Wednesday after negotiations between Druze representatives and the regime, the Syrian authorities attributed the fighting to elements outside their control.
Andreas Krieg, a Middle East security specialist at King's College London, believes that Israel is employing the Druze community strategically to destabilize its Arab neighbors. He suggests that Israel is now using the Druze community's protection as a pretext to justify its military presence in certain parts of Syria.
Since the fall of Assad, Israel's military has been reportedly deployed in Quneitra, a province near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights [2][3]. However, as per a Druze official from Sweida, no Israeli soldiers are present in the region [2]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously demanded the total demilitarization of southern Syria to counter any threats against the nation [1][4].
Israel’s sworn enemies, Iran and Hezbollah, both condemned the Israeli strikes in Syria, with Tehran accusing Israel of seeking to "destroy Syrian defense capabilities" [1].
- Despite the UN's call on Saturday for Israel to halt its attacks in Syria due to the escalation of Israel-Syria tensions, Israel continues to target areas in Syria, including one near Damascus' presidential palace.
- The Syrian government, under President Ahmad al-Chareh, considers these attacks as a dangerous escalation and is ready to protect all communities, including the Druze minority.
- Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, has condemned the increasing violations of Syrian sovereignty by Israel and calls for an immediate halt to the attacks, adhering to international law.
- As the violence in Syria continues, Middle East security specialist Andreas Krieg believes that Israel is strategically using the Druze community to destabilize its Arab neighbors and justify its military presence in certain parts of Syria.
