Amid worsening violence in Druze areas of southern Syria, Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu sends a stern warning to the Syrian regime, asserting that any threats to the Druze community will not be tolerated.
Israel Strikes Near Damascus in Response to Druze Community Violence
Israel Strikes Near Damascus in Response to Druze Community Violence
Israel has conducted airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace, vowing to protect the Druze minority amid escalating sectarian clashes.
The Israeli military's recent airstrike targets near Damascus come as tensions rise following deadly confrontations in Druze regions, ignited by an inflammatory audio clip, with calls for international intervention from Druze leaders.
Israel has ramped up military action in response to rising violence among the Druze community in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel's fighter jets bombed areas adjacent to Syria's presidential palace in Damascus to send a "clear message" to the Syrian government regarding threats to the Druze religious minority. Over recent days, sectarian violence has surged, prompting Netanyahu to reaffirm Israel's commitment to safeguarding the Druze community.
The Syrian government has yet to officially respond to the airstrike. Still, they have consistently rejected any foreign intervention in their domestic issues, particularly following cross-border fire that occurred during violent clashes on Wednesday involving Druze fighters, government forces, and allied Sunni Islamist groups.
In light of these escalating tensions, prominent Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri condemned the ongoing violence, referring to it as an "unjustifiable genocidal campaign" and called for international peacekeeping forces to intervene. Other Druze leaders echoed these sentiments, affirming their commitment to coexistence and requesting that authorities enforce control over the strategic Suweida-Damascus highway.
In response to the violence, the Syrian government has announced the deployment of security forces to Druze areas to combat groups they accuse of instigating chaos. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned that external calls for intervention would further destabilize the region, emphasizing the need for national unity.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, clashes in the Druze-populated areas have resulted in at least 102 fatalities this week, including both combatants and civilians. The violence was sparked by an audio clip insulting the Prophet Muhammad, which incited anger among Sunni Muslims and was falsely attributed to a Druze cleric.
As sectarian tensions rise, the Druze community, which comprises approximately 3% of Syria's population, faces an increasingly precarious situation amid Syria's complex ethnic landscape and the ongoing risks presented by various militant groups. Netanyahu's government has made it clear that it will not stand by if threats to the Druze community continue, already having undertaken numerous airstrikes to neutralize threats in the region.
The ongoing situation remains tense, with many worried that the violence could lead to larger sectarian confrontations in Syria.
Israel has ramped up military action in response to rising violence among the Druze community in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel's fighter jets bombed areas adjacent to Syria's presidential palace in Damascus to send a "clear message" to the Syrian government regarding threats to the Druze religious minority. Over recent days, sectarian violence has surged, prompting Netanyahu to reaffirm Israel's commitment to safeguarding the Druze community.
The Syrian government has yet to officially respond to the airstrike. Still, they have consistently rejected any foreign intervention in their domestic issues, particularly following cross-border fire that occurred during violent clashes on Wednesday involving Druze fighters, government forces, and allied Sunni Islamist groups.
In light of these escalating tensions, prominent Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri condemned the ongoing violence, referring to it as an "unjustifiable genocidal campaign" and called for international peacekeeping forces to intervene. Other Druze leaders echoed these sentiments, affirming their commitment to coexistence and requesting that authorities enforce control over the strategic Suweida-Damascus highway.
In response to the violence, the Syrian government has announced the deployment of security forces to Druze areas to combat groups they accuse of instigating chaos. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned that external calls for intervention would further destabilize the region, emphasizing the need for national unity.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, clashes in the Druze-populated areas have resulted in at least 102 fatalities this week, including both combatants and civilians. The violence was sparked by an audio clip insulting the Prophet Muhammad, which incited anger among Sunni Muslims and was falsely attributed to a Druze cleric.
As sectarian tensions rise, the Druze community, which comprises approximately 3% of Syria's population, faces an increasingly precarious situation amid Syria's complex ethnic landscape and the ongoing risks presented by various militant groups. Netanyahu's government has made it clear that it will not stand by if threats to the Druze community continue, already having undertaken numerous airstrikes to neutralize threats in the region.
The ongoing situation remains tense, with many worried that the violence could lead to larger sectarian confrontations in Syria.
