In the wake of escalating violence in Syria's Druze areas, Israel has conducted airstrikes near Damascus, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the Druze community.
Israel Targets Syria Amid Druze Community Violence
Israel Targets Syria Amid Druze Community Violence
Israel's airstrike sends message of protection for Druze minority following sectarian clashes.
Israel has reported conducting airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus, targeting areas associated with recent conflicts involving the Druze religious minority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that this military action serves as a decisive warning to the Syrian government regarding the safety of the Druze community, acutely affected by a rise in sectarian violence.
This offensive comes in reaction to fierce clashes that have arisen between Druze fighters, security forces, and allied Sunni Islamist groups. Consequently, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's stance on not allowing militarization in southern Syria, particularly concerning threats to Druze citizens.
Despite the strikes, the response from Damascus has been absent, although Syrian authorities have consistently denounced foreign interventions. In the latest unrest, over 100 fatalities were reported this week, predominantly within the Druze communities in areas like Suweida and Jaramana. This violence can be traced back to the dissemination of an inflammatory audio clip that incited hostility among Sunni Muslims after it allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad, attributed to a Druze cleric who has since denied involvement.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze leader, decried the violence against his community as "a genocidal campaign" and called for international intervention to restore peace. Other religious authorities have issued statements reaffirming their commitment to a unified Syria free from such conflicts.
In the backdrop of these clashes, the Syrian government accused certain groups of fueling the violence and deployed security forces in Druze-dominant regions. However, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned against external interventions, stating they would exacerbate the situation.
The Druze community, which constitutes about 3% of the Syrian population, has been vulnerable during Syria's prolonged civil war, exacerbating fears among minority groups for their safety and existence in a fractured nation.
