Dozens dead as Israel targets Syrian military sites; Netanyahu vows support for Druze amid Suweida clashes

Damascus — The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday that it launched airstrikes on Syria’s Defence Ministry headquarters in Damascus, as well as on government positions in the country’s south, citing a commitment to protect the Druze community amid intensifying sectarian violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was aimed at “saving our Druze brothers” and eliminating “the regime’s gangs,” referring to the ongoing conflict in the Druze-majority province of Suweida.

The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a “treacherous act of aggression” and claimed that the Israeli attacks violated international law. The ministry also issued a statement welcoming diplomatic efforts by the United States and Arab nations to de-escalate the internal conflict.

Since Sunday, fierce fighting has erupted between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in Suweida, resulting in over 300 reported deaths. Analysts say the violence, rooted in long-standing tribal and political tensions, has intensified as Syria’s central government continues to lose grip over southern regions.

Footage shared by local activists shows smoke rising from buildings in central Damascus and the sounds of low-flying jets late Tuesday night. Syria’s state-run media reported “material damage” but did not confirm any casualties from the strikes on the capital.

The Israeli military has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, mostly targeting Iranian-linked assets and Hezbollah positions. However, a direct hit on a core Syrian government institution in the heart of Damascus marks a significant escalation.

International observers are warning of further destabilization if the sectarian clashes spill over into neighboring regions or provoke a broader regional confrontation.