Israeli Strike in Syria Leaves 11 Dead, primarily Security Force Members
Syria: Israel Admits Conducting Assault on Militia Members Initiating Attacks on Druze Community
In a shocking turn of events, Israel admitted to conducting an attack in Syria against an extremist group targeting the Druze community in Sahnaya on Wednesday. The attack resulted in the death of at least 11 individuals, vast majority being Syrian security force members.
Clashes in the outskirts of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, followed a day after intense firefights between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters in Jaramana, which left 10 dead.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the operation, stating that the army had taken out "an extremist group organizing to continue attacking the Druze population" in Sahnaya. Few details about the military operation were disclosed.
Israel also expressed concern over the safety of the Druze and hoped that the Syrian regime would intervene to prevent further harm to the community.
According to the Syrian Ministry of Information, 11 security force members were killed in two separate attacks, triggering the clashes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 22 fatalities, including 16 security force members and two Druze residents of Sahnaya.
Wednesday night saw three injured Syrian Druze receiving medical treatment in Israel.
Tensions in the area erupted on Tuesday night when security forces began clashing with residents of Ashrafiet Sahnaya.
UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressed deep concern over the violence in Syria and the potential for further escalation of the unstable situation. He also condemned Israeli attacks, urging them to cease.
The Druze, a significant minority in Syria, have a long-storied history in Syrian politics. They have been politically influential, participating in key uprisings and the Syrian Ba'ath Party. The community is predominantly concentrated in the As-Suwayda Governorate, with substantial numbers in Damascus and its environs.
These recent events underscore the vulnerability of the Druze population in Syria to violence and political instability and highlight the complex political dynamics at play in the region.
The average casualty in the recent conflicts in and around Sahnaya, Syria, seems to be a security force member, as the majority of those killed in the Israeli attack and the subsequent clashes were reported to be from the Syrian security forces. General news sources cite that war-and-conflicts in Syria continue to pose significant threats to various communities, with the Druze being one such example, given their political influence and heavy concentration in certain regions.
