Israel threatens to deploy "substantial military strength" if the Syrian government fails to protect the Druze community from harm.
After two days of violent sectarian clashes near Damascus, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning on Thursday: If Syria's administration fails to protect the Druze community, Israel will respond with substantial force.
Katz made this statement in a press release, emphasizing that the attacks on the Druze must cease, or else Israel won't hesitate to intervene.
In recent days, Israel has beefed up its support for Syria's embattled Druze minority. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged the global community to step up and safeguard the Druze and other minorities in Syria from the regime and its militant groups.
Sadly, over 100 people have lost their lives in these clashes, with the majority being Druze fighters. A war monitor reported this updated toll on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Israel carried out a strike, dubbed a defensive "warning shot," against an alleged extremist group near Damascus, planning to target the Druze-majority town of Sahnaya.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that this attack sent a clear message to Syria's nascent government. Israel's military chief subsequently ordered the armed forces to prepare for potential strikes against Syrian government targets if the Druze face further violence.
Two injured Druze Syrians were airlifted to Israel on Thursday for medical treatment after sustaining injuries in Syrian territory. Moreover, Israel announced that three injured Druze had been evacuated on Wednesday, but declined to specify the circumstances or locations of the injuries.
According to Israel's military statement, the evacuated individuals were brought to the town of Safed in northern Israel for treatment. The IDF also declared that it maintains a military presence in southern Syria and is ready to prevent hostile invaders from entering the Druze villages' vicinity.
These developments come against the backdrop of heightened instability for Syria's Druze minority, as they grapple with rising tensions over autonomy and security. The recent clashes in Damascus, involving the Druze community and gunmen affiliated with Syrian authorities, have deepened the fractures between the sects[1].
Druze fighters have resisted government demands to surrender their weapons, pointing to Damascus' inability to protect them from hostile groups, including past attacks against Alawite communities and potential reprisals[2][3]. In addition, the recent power struggles under new President Ahmed al-Sharaa have further destabilized minority protections[2].
- Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has imposed a warning on Syria's administration, stating that if they fail to protect the Druze community, Israel may target Syrian government forces.
- The Druze fighters in Syria have resumed their resistance against government demands to relinquish their weapons, citing a lack of protection from hostile groups and past attacks on Alawite communities.
- The capital of Syria, Damascus, has been the site of intense sectarian clashes, resulting in over 100 casualties, primarily Druze fighters, as reported by a war monitor.
- Politicians and military leaders in Israel have called for increased international intervention to safeguard Syrian minorities like the Druze, with the general news media frequently featuring updates on war-and-conflicts in Syria.
