Syrian President Denounces Israeli Airstrikes Amid Sectarian Tensions

Following recent Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Shara of Syria accused Israel of attempting to destabilize the nation. This condemnation follows escalating violence in the southern province of Sweida, where government forces and Druse militias clashed amidst fears of a broader sectarian conflict.

President Ahmed al-Shara of Syria accused Israel on Thursday of trying to create “chaos” within the country, shortly after Israeli military airstrikes hit Damascus, damaging facilities near the presidential palace and the Ministry of Defense. In a televised address, al-Shara condemned Israel's actions as an indiscriminate targeting of both civilian and government structures.

This sharp rebuke marks al-Shara's most direct criticism of Israel since assuming power in January, coming on the heels of multiple days of violent clashes in the southern province of Sweida, a region central to Syria’s Druse minority and strategically located near Jordan and Israel. The unrest ignited on Sunday when clashes broke out between mostly Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druse militias in Sweida, prompting Syrian government forces to intervene.

The situation escalated as Druse militia leaders, wary of the new Syrian authorities, initially perceived the government's military action as an attack against them, leading to an armed response. The ongoing conflict raised concerns about a potential wide-scale sectarian war and attracted interest from neighboring Israel, which has a significant Druse population and pledged to protect that minority.

In response to the clashes, Israel conducted airstrikes on Syrian government positions in Sweida and Damascus. The recent strikes represent a notable intensification of Israel’s military campaign, following a history of hundreds of airstrikes since al-Shara's government came to power after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 350 individuals—comprising government forces, Druse militia members, and civilians—have died in the violence that erupted since Sunday. By Thursday morning, there were signs of a de-escalation in the situation; negotiations were reportedly facilitated by the United States, leading to a cease-fire.

In his address, al-Shara noted that Israeli actions risked igniting further conflict, stating that effective mediations were crucial in averting disaster. He indicated that responsibility for security in Sweida would shift to local leaders, alongside pledges of accountability for those who committed violence against the Druse community, reiterating that the group is under government protection.