Israel Strikes Syria’s Army HQ in Damascus After Warning to Protect Druze Community

Israel bombed Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus after issuing a stern warning to the Syrian government to stop attacking the Druze minority in Sweida province. This move comes as part of what Israel called an effort to protect the Druze population, which has come under attack during violent clashes with Bedouin tribes in southern Syria.

What Triggered the Airstrike?

The violence started when Syrian government forces entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida under the claim of enforcing a ceasefire between Druze and local Bedouin groups. However, multiple witnesses and human rights monitors said that instead of keeping peace, government troops joined Bedouin fighters in launching brutal attacks against Druze fighters and civilians.

This confrontation turned into one of Syria’s deadliest sectarian conflicts in recent months, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirming nearly 250 deaths since the weekend. Among the dead are:

• 92 Druze fighters and civilians, including 28 civilians and 21 reportedly executed by Syrian government forces.

• 138 Syrian security personnel

• 18 allied Bedouin fighters

Heavy shelling, mortars, and artillery fire were reported in the city, and journalists on the ground witnessed bodies of combatants in civilian and military clothes, as well as columns of smoke rising from neighborhoods.

Israel's Response: “We Will Not Abandon the Druze”

Following the reports of attacks on the Druze community, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a public statement urging Damascus to immediately stop its involvement in the violence. He stated:

“Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria and will enforce our demilitarization policy. If Syria does not get the message, we will escalate our military response.”

Shortly after his warning, Israeli fighter jets struck the entrance of the Syrian army’s central military headquarters in Damascus. Syrian state media confirmed the attack and reported two injuries but did not reveal more details.

Israel Deploys Troops Near Golan Heights

As part of its strategic stance, Israel also sent more troops to the armistice line near the occupied Golan Heights, reinforcing its military presence on the Syrian border. Israel’s leadership has frequently warned that southern Syria must remain demilitarized, fearing spillover threats from armed Syrian groups or Iranian-backed militias.

Druze Community Fears “Existential Threat”

In Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the top Druze religious leader, described the situation as an “existential battle for the Druze community.” The Druze, a small but influential religious minority, have often been caught in the crossfire of Syria’s civil war and face threats from both government forces and extremist groups.

What Sparked the Clashes?

According to reports, the recent round of violence was triggered when a Druze vegetable merchant was kidnapped, which led to retaliatory kidnappings between Druze and Bedouin tribes. While Druze groups accuse the Syrian government of siding with the Bedouin, Syria’s defense ministry claims its forces were attacked by “outlaw groups” and are merely responding to fire.

The situation remains tense in Sweida, with sporadic gunfire still echoing through the city. Israel’s strike on Damascus is a clear message to Syria’s new Islamist-led government that it will act militarily if minorities like the Druze are targeted. While Israel insists its intervention is humanitarian, some regional analysts believe it is also driven by strategic motives — to push hostile forces farther from its borders.

As of now, the death toll is rising, and unless international diplomacy intervenes quickly, Sweida risks becoming a new front in the Syrian conflict — with potential regional implications.