Israel Has Bombed Syria’s Defense Ministry, Saying It Is Protecting A Syrian Minority
The violence had killed more than 203 people and injured hundreds of others, including Druze, Bedouin and Syrian security forces.
Israel has bombed Syria’s defense ministry and launched multiple airstrikes on southern Syria, claiming it is protecting the Druze minority, which it views as a potential ally.
The Druze are an ethnoreligious minority group found primarily in Israel, Lebanon and Syria, that has a distinct religion, culture and language, while also identifying as Arabs.
On Sunday, July 13, deadly clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in Suwayda province in southern Syria, which is largely inhabited by Druze.
The violence had killed more than 203 people and injured hundreds of others, including Druze, Bedouin and Syrian security forces as of Tuesday, July 15, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
The violence reportedly began after a Druze merchant was kidnapped, leading to armed Druze fighters seizing the al-Maqwas neighborhood, which is inhabited by the Bedouin, escalating the violence between the two groups, according to the BBC.
In response, the Syrian government began deploying military and security forces into Suwayda, stating it was acting to restore order and pursue "outlaw groups."
Syrian defense minister Murhaf Abu Qasra then announced a ceasefire in the region on Tuesday, and the Syrian military began withdrawing from the area.
However, Israel then launched a series of airstrikes on Syrian military convoys and positions near and within Suwayda shortly after the ceasefire, targeting tanks, armored personnel carriers and multiple launch rocket systems.
Israeli officials said Israel was acting to prevent Syrian government forces from threatening the Druze population.
Then on Wednesday, July 16 Israel bombed the defense ministry in Damascus, saying it will keep bombing Syria if the Syrian army maintains a security presence in Suwayda province.
The Druze community in Suwayda is divided, with some leaders calling for resistance against government forces and others urging cooperation with Syria’s government.
This is one of the deadliest sectarian clashes in Syria following deadly clashes against the Alawite minority sect that killed more than 1,000 people in March.
The Syrian government said it is acting to restore order and protect all citizens, including minorities and called Israel’s intervention unlawful interference in its internal affairs and a violation of international law, local news agency SANA reported.
Israel has been attacking Syria for years, claiming it is attacking Iran’s proxies, but it has intensified its attacks and even annexed Syrian lands after Syria was liberated in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Israel is still conducting airstrikes in southern Syria, while also launching a ground invasion in Lebanon and continuing its genocide in Gaza, which has now killed more than 58,479 Palestinians.
Nira Nyangweso
Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
