Qatar denounces Israeli air attack on Damascus as an "overt infringement" of Syria's territorial authority.
Rewritten Article:
Qatar's Foreign Ministry has slammed an Israeli air strike on an area close to the Syrian capital Damascus' presidential palace, branding it as a deplorable act of aggression against Syria's sovereignty. In a brusque statement following the Israeli army's announcement of carrying out the attack, the Qatari Foreign Ministry decried the strike in no uncertain terms, underscoring their unequivocal backing for Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the well-being of its people.
The statement also served as a reminder to the international community to exert pressure on the occupying power to abide by international resolutions. This stance came after recurring Israeli aggressions against Syria and Lebanon, along with the inhumane treatment meted out during Israel's continuous war on Gaza, which poses a significant risk of stoking regional chaos and violence.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli air force bombed an area adjacent to the presidential palace in Damascus. Israel claimed the strike was a veiled warning against the presence of armed groups in southern Damascus and any potential threat to the Druze community.
However, the timing of the attack triggered concerns, as it occurred hours after high-profile leaders from the Druze community released a video statement, reaffirming their commitment to Syria's unity and categorically rejecting any form of division or separatism.
Analysts worry that Israel's latest strike exploits existing tensions within Syria's Druze population to facilitate meddling and foster fragmentation in the country. Damascus has consistently maintained that all religious and ethnic groups in Syria have equal rights and representation.
The Druze community is a significant minority in Syria, comprising around 700,000 people, with most residing in the southern Suwayda Governorate and areas around Damascus. Historically, they have been politically active and influential, apparent in their role in nationalist uprisings, such as that led by Sultan al-Atrash against French colonial rule in 1925.
Despite initially supporting Assad's regime alongside minority groups like the Alawites and Kurds, the Druze community has felt marginalized as the regime strengthened its power. Consequently, the Druze have focused on cultivating a distinct identity and maintaining autonomous governance over their mountainous regions for cultural preservation and security.
In the ongoing Syrian conflict, the Druze have suffered immensely, with incidents like the 2015 Qalb Loze massacre by militants and massive ISIS attacks on Suwayda city resulting in countless fatalities. Throughout the conflict, the Druze have asserted their autonomy, resisting submission to extremist groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, and adopting a measured stance amid the complicated battlefield.
The Druze population's strategic location in mountainous regions, such as near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, influences their defensive stance and political maneuvering. While their dispersed settlements may make them vulnerable militarily, the fragmented nature of their communities has helped preserve their cultural identity.
Israel's prolonged presence along Syria's northeastern border adds complexity to the Druze population's position. The Druze living near the Israeli border are in a precarious situation owing to the ongoing conflict and Israeli military actions. Druze populations on both sides of the border have a complex relationship, with some residents in the Golan Heights possessing Israeli citizenship, while their counterparts in Syria continue to come under the Syrian government's jurisdiction.
- The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning an Israeli air strike on an area close to the Syrian capital Damascus' presidential palace, viewing it as a regrettable act of aggression against Syria's sovereignty.
- The Ministry urged the international community to pressure the occupying power to comply with international resolutions, following the Israeli army's announcement of the attack.
- The latest Israeli strike against Syria and Lebanon, along with unjust treatments during the continuous war on Gaza, raises concerns of worsening regional conflict and intrigue.
- The Israeli air force recently attacked an area adjacent to the presidential palace in Damascus, claiming it as a warning against the presence of armed groups in southern Damascus and any potential threat to the Druze community.
- The timing of the attack has raised eyebrows, as it followed high-profile leaders from the Druze community releasing a video statement affirming their loyalty to Syria's unity and rejection of any form of division or separatism.
- Analysts worry that Israel's repeated aggressive acts may try to manipulate existing tensions within Syria's Druze population to create division and chaos in the country.
- The Druze community, a significant minority in Syria, historically played a role in nationalist uprisings, as demonstrated by Sultan al-Atrash's resistance against French colonial rule in 1925.
- The ongoing Syrian conflict has had a devastating impact on the Druze population, with incidents such as the 2015 Qalb Loze massacre and ISIS attacks on Suwayda city resulting in numerous casualties.
- Israel's prolonged presence along Syria's northeastern border contributes to the Druze population's precarious situation, as they deal with the ongoing conflict and Israeli military actions, used to control the Golan Heights region.
