Israel launched a series of fatal bombings in Damascus, Syria’s capital city, at the Syrian Defense Ministry and close to the presidential palace, in a dramatic escalation that has been attributed to intense battles between Syrian regime forces and Druze militias in the southern province of Suwayda. The bombings, which killed at least three individuals and injured 34, were one of Israel’s strongest military invasions of Syria since Bashar al-Assad’s regime was toppled in December 2024
Israel’s Strikes on Damascus: A Warning to Syria
The Israeli defense forces confirmed that it had attacked crucial targets in Damascus, the headquarters of the Syrian Defense Ministry, which was badly damaged as four floors fell and smoke columns billowed over the city211. Another attack close to the presidential palace conveyed a clear message to Syria’s interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “The threats on Damascus are complete—now come the painful strikes,” threatening to carry out additional strikes unless Syrian soldiers retreat from Suwayda, where Druze rebels have fought government forces and Bedouin militias39. The Israeli military mobilized additional forces along the Golan Heights border, a signal that it is preparing for a prolonged conflict
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “The threats on Damascus are complete—now come the painful strikes,” threatening to carry out additional strikes unless Syrian soldiers retreat from Suwayda, where Druze rebels have fought government forces and Bedouin militias39. The Israeli military mobilized additional forces along the Golan Heights border, a signal that it is preparing for a prolonged conflict
Druze Crisis in Suwayda: The Trigger for Israeli Intervention
Druze-majority Suwayda violence started as a domestic conflict between Sunni Bedouin tribesmen and Druze militias before it escalated into an all-out war against Syrian security forces. The fighting, which has led to more than 200 deaths, with civilians affected, has also involved Israel, bringing with it its intervention as a move to protect the Druze minority.
However, the Druze are still disunited. While some, like Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, had a ceasefire agreement with Damascus, others, like Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, refused, calling for additional resistance. The intervention of Israel has also complicated the conflict, as the majority of the Druze are worried about being accused of being Israeli proxies
Failed Ceasefires and Continued Fighting Syria’s government declared several ceasefire deals, which all disintegrated in a matter of hours as fighting resumed. Druze militias were accused by the Syrian government of breaching the ceasefire, while Druze commanders accused government forces of summary execution and incineration
During the mayhem, Suwayda’s Druze civilians reported nightmarish conditions:
Power and water shortages
Cuts to communications
Snipers firing at non-combatants
Families holed up in basements as shells detonated outside
International Reactions: US Concern, Turkish Condemnation
The United States reacted with alarm to the bloodshed, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington was “very concerned” and trying to ease tensions. Turkey denounced Israel’s attacks as a breach of Syria’s sovereignty
The European Union and France also called for a swift ceasefire and the condemnation of attacks on civilians, citing fear of a wider sectarian war
Druze Protests at the Israeli-Syrian Border
The crisis overran into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where Israeli Druze hundreds organized protest marches along the frontier fence, others trying to penetrate the barrier to enter Syria to assist their fellow. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored them to remain, threatening, “You might get kidnapped or murdered and you are delaying military action”.
The Israeli shelling marks a tough line on the new Syrian government that it sees as Islamist threat. As US-mediated talks are underway, the threat of an escalation is great, particularly if Syria does not retreat from Suwayda
The Druze minority as yet continues to be in the crosshairs, with no resolution yet on the horizon. As Reuters quoted a resident of Suwayda, “We are surrounded, and we hear the fighters screaming… we’re so scared”
