Israel Strikes Damascus Amid Clashes in Southern Syria
Israel has launched rare airstrikes in Damascus, including near the Syrian Defence Ministry, escalating its intervention in southern Syria. The strikes follow days of deadly clashes between Syrian government forces and armed groups from the Druze minority in Sweida province. Israel stated its actions are intended to protect the Druze community and push Islamic militants from its border. The conflict threatens the stability of Syria's new post-war government, with a ceasefire announced Wednesday after a previous one quickly collapsed.
Unpacked:
The Druze are a religious and ethnic minority in Syria, primarily residing in the Sweida province. Historically, they have faced persecution from various regimes. In recent conflicts, most Druze have tried to remain neutral, forming local militias for self-protection. Their relationship with the Syrian government has sometimes been tense, especially over issues like conscription and local autonomy.
Israel stated its airstrikes aimed to protect the Druze community and remove Islamic militants from near its border. The Druze in southern Syria have faced threats from armed groups like Jabhat al-Nusra, and Israel has occasionally intervened out of concern for the Druze, who also have a presence in Israel and maintain cross-border familial ties.
Striking near the Syrian Defence Ministry is significant because it targets the heart of Syria's military establishment, signaling a serious escalation. Such attacks are rare and indicate a direct challenge to the Syrian government’s authority, potentially destabilizing the post-war order and sending a message about Israel’s willingness to intervene directly in Syria’s capital.[Summary]
Although the Syrian government has regained control over most of the country after years of civil war, its stability remains fragile. Localized unrest, such as the Druze clashes in Sweida, continued economic hardship, and occasional foreign intervention all threaten to disrupt the government’s hold and complicate efforts to maintain long-term stability.[Summary]