A Bloody Confrontation: Israel Strikes Back After Druze Attacks in Syria
Israeli military forces are launching strikes in the vicinity of Syria's presidential palace.
Get the latest: Israel's defense forces have launched attacks near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, following a series of deadly attacks on the Druze minority.
The early morning assault, confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targets a location near the Syrian president's palace. The Israeli army's announcement on Telegram indicates that fighter jets struck the vicinity of the palace.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, had previously issued a strong warning to the Syrian leadership. "If attacks on the Druze in Syria do not cease, we will respond with great brutality," Katz stated, addressing the transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel is firmly committed to the protection of the Druze and closely monitors the situation. Should there be further attacks without intervention, Israel will respond likewise.
A Frightening Escalation
Clashes between pro-government troops and Druze fighters have erupted in a Damascus suburb, resulting in over 100 fatalities as per reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.syrian fighting sparks chaos
Activists in Syria reported that Druze were killed once more. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, reported that 35 members of the religious minority were killed in a recent ambush in the south of the country. Pro-government security forces and militias are suspected to be responsible for the attack.
The fighting began on a Tuesday night in a suburb of Damascus and has already claimed over a hundred lives, according to the Observatory. On Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force attacked targets in Syria multiple times. According to Israeli military reports, the attacks focused on those who were attacking Druze in the vicinity of Damascus.
Druze Cry Out for International Help
The Druze are a religious minority, primarily residing in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. About 700,000 Druze live in Syria. The Druze community emerged from Shiite Islam in the 11th century. Many Druze serve voluntarily in Israel's army, and the Jewish state views them as allies.
The Syrian Druze leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, described the recent fighting as a "genocide campaign" that is "unconscionable." He called on "international forces" to intervene and "maintain peace" and prevent the continuation of these crimes.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on the international community to protect the Druze and other minorities in Syria from the regime and its terrorist groups. The international community must not overlook the events of recent months. During Assad's rule, many Druze were allies of the Syrian government. Some Druze remain critical of the new, Islamist-led government in Damascus, while others are already cooperating.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- ino/AFP/dpa
- Israel
- Syria
- USA
- Islamists
- The European Union, expressing concern about the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, has reaffirmed its support for the Druze community, particularly in Syria, following Israel's harsh attacks in response to Druze attacks in Syria.
- Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, used Whatsapp to reinforce his earlier strong warning to the Syrian leadership, stating that if attacks on the Druze continue, Israel will respond with great brutality, reminding them of the recent bloody confrontation.
- Amidst the general news of the escalating situation, the Druze community has appealed for international help, with their leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, urging international forces to intervene and maintain peace, lamenting the harshness of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
- The global political scene has been reignited due to the Druze crisis in the Middle East, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling on the international community to protect the Druze and other minority groups from the regime and its terrorist groups, arguing that the international community must not overlook the recent events in Syria.
