Syria's military leadership ambushed by Israeli assault in Damascus
In the heart of the Middle East, the current conflict between Israel and Syria is intensifying, centring around the Druze minority in Syria's Suweida province. The Druze, a religious and ethnic minority numbering around 700,000, have been caught in violent clashes primarily between local Druze armed groups and Bedouin tribes.
The escalation of these confrontations has resulted in over 300 deaths, including more than 100 Druze, and involved serious abuses by government forces against Druze civilians. Israel, with historical and familial ties to the Druze, particularly due to the Druze population within Israel who serve actively in the military, has declared a commitment to protect the Druze minority in Syria.
On July 15, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Syrian military positions in the Suweida region and the headquarters of the Syrian army in Damascus. The aim was to weaken Syrian government forces perceived as threatening the Druze. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated, "We will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria," and pledged to act against Syrian military elements involved in the violence.
However, the Syrian interim government accused Israel of provoking chaos via these airstrikes, further complicating Syria’s internal conflict. A tentative ceasefire has been announced following these strikes, although regional tensions remain high.
The Syrian government, allied with Iran, a long-time enemy of Israel, is fighting alongside Sunni Bedouins against Druze militias in the south. The fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who was allied with Iran, seemed to make such steps at least possible.
Amidst the ongoing violence, reports of looting and vandalism, as well as setting fires, have been made in the Suweida province, the stronghold of the Druze. There are concerns about shortages of food and medicine in the region, as it is mainly supplied with goods from Damascus. The situation in the local hospital in Suweida is said to be catastrophic.
Civilians are the main victims of the fighting, experiencing violence and displacement in Syria, and many have fled the area to seek safety. Some Druze from Israel attempted to cross the border into Syria to support others there.
Israel's military intervention in Syria is more extensive than ever before. The Israeli army reported that "dozens of suspects" attempted to enter Israeli-controlled territory from Syria, who were identified as Syrian Druze seeking refuge. The Israeli military also attacked near the presidential palace in Damascus.
Despite the efforts to protect the Druze, there is high mistrust towards the new rulers in Damascus among the Druze. The Syrian government aims to maintain stability in the south and protect civilians, but the repeated incidents of violence against the Druze, including instances of humiliation such as having their beards shaved off, have raised concerns about the government's intentions.
The USA sees Syria as an important country in its efforts to integrate Israel more into the Middle East region. The official state of war between Israel and Syria, which dates back to the establishment of Israel in 1948, has been a constant source of tension in the region.
In conclusion, Israel's intervention stems from its strategic and ethnic ties to the Druze minority in Syria, aiming to protect them amid deadly clashes with Bedouin tribes and Syrian government forces, which has led to Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military targets, thereby intensifying the regional conflict. The situation remains volatile, with a tentative ceasefire in place, but regional tensions remain high.
The escalating war-and-conflicts in Syria, centered around the Druze minority in Suweida province, have been met with an interjection from Israel, a country with historical and familial ties to the Druze, due to the Druze population within Israel who serve actively in the military. On July 15, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Syrian military positions in the Suweida region and the headquarters of the Syrian army in Damascus, outlining their politics to protect the Druze minority, thereby adding fuel to the ongoing internal conflict in Syria.
