Israel launched a direct strike on the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in Damascus late Wednesday, blowing open the entrance gate of the defense compound in a rare and high-profile escalation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was carried out in response to the Syrian regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria, where fighting has intensified following the collapse of a local ceasefire.The IDF confirmed it is conducting ongoing strikes in the area “in accordance with directives from the political echelon” and said it remains on alert as tensions continue to rise along the northern frontier.
Israeli military action in Damascus
The Israeli army stated that the strike targeted military infrastructure near the Syrian Defense Ministry, part of a broader campaign to disrupt regime convoys and deter threats near Israel’s northern border. Tel Aviv said the airstrike was aimed at “protecting the Druze population” amid the resurgence of fighting in Sweida province.“A short while ago, the IDF struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters compound in the Damascus area of Syria,” said the Israeli War Room. “In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is carrying out strikes in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios,” it added.Other reports from the Associated Press claimed that Israel struck near Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus.This follows multiple Israeli air operations recently, as tensions rise over alleged involvement of Islamist militants in the region and fears of spillover into Israeli territory.
Ceasefire collapse sparks renewed clashes in Sweida
In Sweida, a fragile ceasefire between Syrian government forces and local Druze militias broke down, triggering intense street battles and renewed shelling. Syria’s Defense Ministry accused armed factions of breaching the truce and announced the resumption of military operations to “restore stability” and ensure civilian safety.The breakdown of peace efforts has raised alarms about the risk of prolonged sectarian conflict, particularly in a province that had previously remained relatively insulated from much of the civil war.
Background: Syria’s new leadership faces growing unrest
The flare-up follows the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in a surprise rebel offensive last December, which effectively ended a nearly 14-year civil war. A new Sunni-majority leadership now governs Syria but faces persistent resistance from minority groups and former regime loyalists.The Druze community, a religious minority with deep roots in southern Syria, has emerged as a flashpoint in the country’s fragile post-war landscape. Internal divisions have surfaced over their future under the new regime, with some pushing for autonomy.
Casualties mount as violence spreads
What began as tit-for-tat abductions between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze factions has spiraled into a wider conflict. Security forces have reportedly engaged in extrajudicial killings and widespread looting, with several homes torched in retaliatory raids.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 250 fatalities so far, including 21 individuals allegedly executed in the field. Both government troops and armed militias have been accused of committing abuses against civilians, as reported by AP.
Israel vows continued strikes unless Syrian forces withdraw
Israel has hardened its stance against the new Syrian regime, citing the presence of hostile Islamist groups near its border. Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier declared that Israeli forces would sustain airstrikes “until regime troops are removed from the area.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced Israel’s strategic objective of maintaining a demilitarized buffer zone, reiterating the state’s commitment to defending the Druze population in Syria.
Druze remain caught in the crossfire
The Druze, an esoteric religious sect with communities across Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, are increasingly divided over how to navigate the shifting political dynamics. While some support integration under the new government, others advocate for a self-governed Druze region.The escalating violence in Sweida has exposed those divisions and placed the Druze at the center of a volatile regional equation, with major implications for Syrian sovereignty and Israeli security.
