Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace amid Druze unrest

Israel launches airstrikes near Syrian palace amid rising sectarian violence

Tel Aviv warns Damascus after deadly clashes in Druze regions of southern Syria

Israel launched a series of airstrikes near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, signaling a sharp escalation in regional tensions as sectarian violence intensifies in Druze-majority areas. The move comes after days of deadly unrest involving Druze militias, Sunni Islamist groups, and Syrian security forces in southern Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strike a "clear message" to the Syrian regime, warning that Israel would not tolerate the presence of hostile forces near its border or threats against the Druze population. He added that the protection of Druze communities in Suweida province and other southern regions was a strategic priority for Israel.

Second wave of Israeli airstrikes targets Syrian military sites

Later in the day, the Israeli military confirmed a second wave of airstrikes on military infrastructure in southern Syria. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported close to 20 separate strikes. Syrian state media said one person had been killed and described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation”.

Israel’s defence minister further elaborated, stating that the Syrian president would "understand Israel’s resolve" upon seeing the impact of the strikes. He also accused Syrian authorities of deploying jihadist elements into Druze areas, a claim Damascus has not publicly addressed.

Sectarian conflict escalates in Druze heartlands

The latest violence erupted on Monday in the town of Jaramana following the circulation of an audio clip allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Though attributed to a Druze cleric—who later denied involvement—tensions quickly escalated into widespread sectarian clashes.

According to SOHR, at least 109 people have been killed in the past week across Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Jaramana, and Suweida. The casualties reportedly include 11 Druze civilians, 26 Druze fighters, 30 Syrian government security personnel, and 42 Druze men who were allegedly ambushed while traveling toward Damascus.

Syrian state authorities claim their deployment of troops to Druze areas is aimed at combating "outlaw groups" rather than targeting specific communities. Security personnel in the affected areas told the BBC that operations are focused on restoring law and order, regardless of religious affiliation.

Druze leaders call for international intervention

Prominent Druze religious figures have denounced the violence. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri described the events as an "unjustifiable genocidal campaign" and called on international actors to intervene. Other religious leaders emphasized their commitment to a unified Syria and called for the reassertion of state control over strategic routes, including the Suweida-Damascus highway.

Tensions remain high. Sheikh Hamoud al-Hinawi, a senior Druze figure in Suweida, said the situation was “still tense” and warned of continued sectarian targeting. “If we are being attacked, we have every right to defend ourselves,” he told the BBC.

Global reaction and regional implications

The Syrian government condemned the Israeli strikes as violations of national sovereignty and accused Israel of attempting to destabilize the region. President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration called for international support in resisting foreign aggression, describing the bombings as attacks on Syrian state institutions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Israel’s actions, stating they violate Syria’s sovereignty and threaten the country’s territorial integrity. His spokesman urged Israel to refrain from further attacks.

Meanwhile, mounting distrust of Syria’s transitional government has led to fears among religious minorities. Sharaa, whose Sunni Islamist coalition toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December after 13 years of civil war, has promised protection for all ethnic and religious groups. But the mass killing of Alawite civilians during recent operations has deepened ethnic rifts.

Netanyahu demands demilitarisation of southern Syria

Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated demands for the complete demilitarization of Suweida and neighboring provinces, accusing the new Syrian leadership of enabling extremist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS, a Sunni Islamist militia formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, remains designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, and UK.

The Israeli military has intensified operations across Syria in recent months, conducting hundreds of airstrikes targeting arms depots, military bases, and command centers linked to HTS and other militant factions. Israeli forces have also deployed to the UN-monitored buffer zone near the Golan Heights, signaling a more proactive posture in the region.

Civilian fears and long-term instability

Beyond the battlefield, the violence has left many civilians in southern Syria fearing for their safety. As sectarian divisions deepen, the Druze community—long considered neutral or loyalist under Assad—is caught between an emboldened Sunni Islamist government and encroaching extremist factions.

The long-term impact of Israel’s strikes remains unclear, but the escalation risks drawing in more regional actors and further destabilizing an already volatile post-Assad Syria.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for continuing updates on Middle East tensions and the evolving situation in Syria.