Syria presidential palace area targeted by Israeli air assaults
In a bustling early morning, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in the vicinity of Damascus's presidential palace, as reported by Syrian media. The strikes, acknowledged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, were in response to the Syrian army's encroachment on Druze-inhabited villages in southern Syria.
The Israeli duo stated, "Tonight, we struck near the presidential palace in Damascus. This serves as a clear message to the Syrian regime." They further elaborated, "We will not tolerate the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community." Their statement implicated that this attack is part of Israel's deterrence strategy to thwart an alleged military presence that poses a threat.
Syria's Information Minister, Hamza Al-Mustafa, alleged Israel of stirring sectarian tension to bolster influence within Syria. He asserted that Israel manipulates existing divisions and local sentiments to establish a stronghold in the country, and their actions could be part of a long-term strategy. Al-Mustafa appealed to the Syrians, particularly those residing in Suwayda, to shun such divisive maneuvers to prevent further chaos[1][4].
These allegations surfaced against the backdrop of frequent Israeli air strikes in Syria, purportedly targeting military and anti-aircraft sites near Damascus and other areas. These strikes followed clashes involving the Druze community, with Israel urging the Syrian government to preserve the security of this minority[2][3].
The escalating violence and Israeli interventions have garnered criticism from several quarters, including a UN commission, which raised concerns that these developments pose a threat to Syria's shaky path to peace and stability[4].
- The United Nations expressed concerns that the Israeli strikes in Syria could escalate war-and-conflicts, posing a threat to Syria's already fragile path to peace and stability.
- General news outlets are reporting increased tension between Israel and Syria, with the Israeli prime minister and defence minister taking a strong stance against any threat to the Druze community.
- In response to the Israeli attacks, Syria's Information Minister, Hamza Al-Mustafa, accused Israel of stirring sectarian tension to bolster influence within Syria, suggesting a long-term strategy.
- The reaction from the Israeli prime minister and defence minister to the Syrian army's encroachment on Druze-inhabited villages in southern Syria was a military strike near the presidential palace in Damascus.
- The prime minister and defence minister of Israel said the strike was a clear message to the Syrian regime, stating that they will not tolerate the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.
- A series of Israeli strikes have been reported in Syria, targeting military and anti-aircraft sites near Damascus and other areas, raising concerns about a potential war.
- President Bashar al-Assad of Syria was not specifically mentioned in the Israeli prime minister and defence minister's statement, but the implication was clear: any forces that threaten the Druze community in southern Syria would be met with military action.
- News of the Israeli strike near the presidential palace in Damascus is causing a stir in politics, with some questioning whether the Israeli government is acting rashly or strategically to protect its interests.
- The compound where the airstrike occurred is a significant location, potentially indicating that the Syrian presidential palace or its associated buildings were targeted in the Israeli attack.
