Syria government agrees to front with Druze, while two more lives lost amidst Israeli assaults on Druze territories in Syria, following claims by Israel of Syria's inadequate protection over the Druze community.
Air Raids in Syria: Israel Targets Druze Community Amid Violence
Overnight Israeli air strikes on Syrian soil have resulted in at least two civilian deaths and reports of approximately 15 attacks in various locations, including Damascus. This escalation comes as Israel actively protects the Druze community from government-instigated violence - a stance rejected by the community itself.
Saturday night's onslaught saw numerous areas, including Syria's capital, come under attack after midnight. The Israeli military confirmed the assault, stating that their forces targeted a military site, anti-aircraft cannons, and surface-to-air missile infrastructure without providing further details or evidence.
On Friday, Israel launched an attack near President Bashar al-Assad's palace, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voicing his intent to prevent Syrian forces from moving south of Damascus and protect the Druze community. The recent violence has claimed more than 100 lives among the Druze community this week.
Al Jazeera's Imran Khan reported from the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, where clashes occurred between pro-government forces and Druze fighters, resulting in an uneasy calm on Saturday. During the period under curfew, a Druze delegation attempted to reassure the local residents regarding security.
In response to the increased security measures in Damascus and the Druze heartland of Suwayda province, Syrian government forces and local Druze leaders reached agreements to bolster security and deploy heavy weapons held by fighters. Ammar al-Hariri, a commander with the Syrian security forces, expressed resilience, asserting that their force would not be deterred from protecting the community.
However, these actions have been met with skepticism among the Druze community, who believe that Israel is exploiting the situation to exert pressure on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and launch further attacks on Syrian targets. The community insists that these issues can be addressed internally without foreign intervention. The United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has condemned Israel's escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty, including multiple air strikes in Damascus and other cities.
The ongoing Israeli military presence in Syria, including occupied regions like the Golan Heights, has continued to provoke international condemnation, despite renewed attacks across the country. Members of the Syrian Druze community have also expressed relief upon hearing of regional reconciliation agreements, emphasizing that their focus lies with local support rather than foreign intervention.
Breaking news: This escalation in war-and-conflicts between Israel and Syria, centered around the Druze community in Syria, has once again entered the realm of general-news and politics. The latest round of fighting, including Israeli air strikes and retaliatory attacks by pro-government forces, has led to numerous casualties and raised concerns about further intensification of the conflict.
