Syrian capital, Damascus, hit by Israeli attacks after escalation in Druze-related unrest
In a shocking turn of events, Israel's military struck Damascus last Friday, aiming for areas near the presidential palace. The motive? Israel's Defense Minister threatened intervention if Syrian authorities neglected to protect the embattled Druze minority, following the spiritual leader's condemnation of a "genocidal campaign" against the Druze community.
The Druze community has been shattered after sectarian clashes claimed the lives of 102 individuals, sparking concerns for the future of the Islamist authorities in Syria, who toppled the long-reigning leader Bashar al-Assad in December. The isolation of the Druze is evident; their sacred leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, pleaded for international forces to intervene, seeking to halt the disastrous cycle of violence.
These disturbing developments in the Druze heartland of Syria follow a series of massacres in March, which claimed the lives of over 1,700 civilians in Syria's Alawite heartland. This wave of violence has plunged the Druze minority into a state of uncertainty regarding their future in the rapidly changing landscape of Syria.
In response to these tragic events, Syria's Foreign Minister advocated for "national unity" as the cornerstone of stability and revival. However, Syrian forces were accused of fanning the flames of violence against the Druze community. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of a strong Israeli reaction if the Druze minority was not safeguarded.
The Syria crisis continues to unfold, as the new authorities, rooted in the al Qaeda jihadist network, grapple with the challenges of inclusive governance amid the ongoing threat of radical Islamist forces. The latest violence against the Druze community appears to be a grave test for the newly established regime.
The international community, particularly the United States, has expressed deep concern over the treatment of the Druze community in Syria, vowing to hold perpetrators accountable. Despite the absence of a formal international military response, Israel is positioned as a key security guarantor for the vulnerable Druze population, embodied by a recent drone strike to protect Druze civilians from armed extremist groups.
- Husam, a general-news reporter, stated that the Druze community in Syria has been shattered by sectarian clashes, leading to the loss of 102 lives, causing concern about the future of Syria's Islamist authorities.
- The Druze community's spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, has appealed for international forces to intervene, aiming to end the cycle of violence that has affected them.
- Following the violence against the Druze in March, which killed over 1,700 civilians in Syria's Alawite heartland, the Druze minority is going through a state of uncertainty regarding their future in the rapidly changing landscape of Syria.
- Syria's Foreign Minister is advocating for "national unity" as the foundation of stability and revival, but Syrian forces have been accused of aggravating the violence against the Druze community.
- Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of a strong Israeli reaction if the Druze minority is not protected, positioning Israel as a key security guarantor for the vulnerable Druze population, as evident in a recent drone strike to protect Druze civilians from armed extremist groups.
