Israel Bombs Damascus Amid Escalating Sectarian Violence in Syria

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched airstrikes on Damascus and southern Syria this week, citing the need to protect the Druze minority amid ongoing sectarian violence. The strikes, which began on Monday and intensified through Wednesday, targeted key government and military sites, including the Syrian Defense Ministry and areas near the presidential palace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operations as a necessity to safeguard Druze civilians caught in the crossfire of a deadly conflict between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in the southern province of Sweida.

Background: Sectarian Unrest in Southern Syria

The violence in Sweida erupted last Sunday after the abduction of a Druze merchant on the highway to Damascus. Armed Druze fighters responded by encircling and seizing a Bedouin-inhabited neighborhood in Sweida city, which triggered retaliatory attacks from Bedouin tribes backed by Syrian government forces. Over the following days, the clashes spiraled into a full-blown sectarian conflict, claiming over 350 lives, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Among the dead were Druze civilians, local fighters, and government forces.

The Druze, a religious minority with deep historical roots in the region, have long been wary of the Sunni Islamist-led Syrian government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Despite Sharaa’s pledges to protect minority communities, many Druze factions have accused his administration of failing to prevent sectarian violence and of aligning with armed groups hostile to their interests.

Israel’s Strategic Intervention

Israel’s military intervention followed growing calls from its Druze citizens to support their brethren in Syria. On Wednesday, Israeli fighter jets struck multiple targets in Damascus, including the Defense Ministry and areas near the presidential palace. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, declared on social media that the strikes were a warning to the Syrian government to withdraw its forces from Sweida immediately. “The painful blows have begun,” Katz wrote, underscoring the severity of Israel’s stance.

Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that Israel was “working to save our Druze brothers.” The strikes also aimed to disrupt Syrian military operations in Sweida, where government forces had entered to quell the violence but were accused of committing human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and looting.

International Mediation and Ceasefire Efforts

The escalating violence prompted urgent international mediation led by the United States, Turkey, and Arab states. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that “specific steps” had been agreed upon to de-escalate the situation. By late Wednesday night, the Syrian government began withdrawing its forces from Sweida, transferring security responsibilities to local Druze factions and religious elders. Rubio described the agreement as a critical step toward restoring calm, though its long-term viability remains uncertain.

In his first televised address since the strikes, President Sharaa accused Israel of pushing the region toward “large-scale escalation” but acknowledged the role of international mediation in averting a broader conflict. He also vowed to hold those responsible for violence against the Druze accountable, emphasizing that the state remains committed to protecting minority communities.

Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Implications

As the fighting subsides, the humanitarian toll in Sweida is becoming increasingly apparent. According to SOHR, the city faces acute shortages of water, medical supplies, and basic services. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with casualties, and reports of looting and summary executions have further destabilized the region. The United Nations is set to convene a Security Council meeting to address the crisis and explore measures to prevent further violence.

Israel’s actions have also drawn criticism from Syria and its allies, who accused the Israeli military of violating international law. Syria’s foreign ministry described the strikes as a deliberate attempt to “inflame tensions and undermine regional stability.” Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli Druze crossed the heavily fortified border into Syria on Wednesday to support their counterparts, prompting Israeli troops to intervene with tear gas to prevent further crossings.

Outlook

The situation in southern Syria highlights the fragile balance of power in a post-civil war landscape. While the ceasefire in Sweida offers a temporary reprieve, underlying sectarian tensions and mistrust between the Druze community and the Syrian government persist. Israel’s military intervention has added another layer of complexity, with potential repercussions for its relations with neighboring states and its own Druze population.

As the region grapples with the aftermath of this week’s events, the focus will remain on ensuring the ceasefire holds and addressing the root causes of sectarian unrest to prevent further bloodshed.