Israel conducted airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus early on Friday, marking the second such attack in as many days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strikes, emphasizing the country’s commitment to defending the Druze community, a minority group under threat in the ongoing Syrian conflict.
The airstrikes, which targeted a location in the vicinity of the presidential palace, are seen as a direct response to growing concerns over the safety of the Druze, an ethno-religious group with deep ties to Israel. Netanyahu had previously vowed to protect the Druze from any potential harm, and this attack follows through on that promise.
“These strikes send a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow Syrian forces to deploy south of Damascus or pose a threat to the Druze community,” Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Tensions with Syrian Regime and Sunni Islamists
This attack highlights Israel’s ongoing mistrust of the Syrian regime and its increasing concerns over Sunni Islamist factions that have gained power since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December. The power vacuum left by Assad’s weakening has made Syria even more fractured, with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa struggling to maintain control over large parts of the country.
Israel’s actions in Syria are also reflective of the broader regional dynamics, where Israel has consistently acted to thwart Iranian and other hostile forces in the area, particularly near its borders.
Rising Tensions in the Region
The airstrikes represent a continuing escalation in the complex and volatile Syrian conflict. Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not allow any threats to its security, especially from forces it views as a danger to its borders and the Druze community, which has significant numbers in the Golan Heights region, an area Israel captured from Syria in 1967.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, Israel’s military strategy remains focused on preventing the establishment of hostile military positions near its borders, particularly in southern Syria. The ongoing conflict in Syria, which has displaced millions and caused significant instability, continues to have ripple effects throughout the region.
Sources By Agencies
