Israel announced air strikes on Syrian government infrastructure after reports of attacks on Druze civilians in the Suweida province. The Israeli military confirmed that it targeted a command center and weapons depots, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the Druze population.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated, The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them.
In contrast, the Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attacks, labeling them as a violation of Syria's sovereignty and a continuation of Israeli interference in Syrian affairs. They insisted that Israel's justifications were merely pretexts.
Tensions rose after violence escalated in Suweida, where clashes erupted following mortar fire incidents. The Syrian government characterized its response as targeting an organized crime network involved in illegal activities like car theft and drug trafficking.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued warnings regarding future actions, promising to strike with even greater force if deemed necessary to protect Druze communities. The backdrop of this military action is a wider regional context of conflict initiated by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian interests.
Despite the increasing military actions, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized efforts to avoid further escalation of the conflict, asserting that Damascus was "calculating our steps with extreme precision" to maintain stability in the region.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated, The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them.
In contrast, the Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attacks, labeling them as a violation of Syria's sovereignty and a continuation of Israeli interference in Syrian affairs. They insisted that Israel's justifications were merely pretexts.
Tensions rose after violence escalated in Suweida, where clashes erupted following mortar fire incidents. The Syrian government characterized its response as targeting an organized crime network involved in illegal activities like car theft and drug trafficking.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued warnings regarding future actions, promising to strike with even greater force if deemed necessary to protect Druze communities. The backdrop of this military action is a wider regional context of conflict initiated by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian interests.
Despite the increasing military actions, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized efforts to avoid further escalation of the conflict, asserting that Damascus was "calculating our steps with extreme precision" to maintain stability in the region.
