Why Is Israel Striking Syria?
In a dramatic turn of events, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Syria’s capital, Damascus, and the southern province of Sweida on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant escalations in the region in recent years. The Israeli military said the strikes aimed to halt Syrian military advances into Sweida, a province home to the country’s Druse minority.
The latest assault comes amid intense fighting between Druse militias and Syrian government forces, following attacks on Druse civilians by Bedouin tribes. Israel, which has cultural and familial ties to the Druse community due to its significant Druse population, has vowed to defend them, even beyond its borders. The Israeli government has accused Damascus of using excessive force and enabling ethnic violence.
What Did Israel Target in Syria?
Israeli warplanes struck multiple sites in central Damascus, including a military compound housing Syria’s defence ministry and general staff headquarters. According to Syrian officials, these buildings were being used to coordinate the government’s offensive in Sweida.
The strikes caused widespread damage, killing at least one civilian and injuring 18 others, according to Syria’s health ministry. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described “extensive” destruction across Damascus’s government quarter. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as residents fled through smoke-filled streets.
Israel also acknowledged conducting dozens of airstrikes in Sweida, directly targeting Syrian troops and military infrastructure believed to be behind the crackdown on Druse fighters.
Why Is Israel Involved in Sweida?
The Sweida region, located in southern Syria, is the heartland of the Druse minority, a small but politically significant ethno-religious group with a major presence in both Syria and Israel. Tensions flared this week when a Druse man was attacked by members of a Bedouin tribe, igniting retaliatory violence and dragging the Syrian army into the conflict.
Israel, which has historically pledged to protect the Druse, demanded that Syrian government forces withdraw from Sweida. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Damascus against further aggression and publicly committed to defending the Druse community.
“We are acting to save our Druse brothers and eliminate the regime’s gangs,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. However, he also urged Israeli Druse citizens not to cross the border into Syria, adding, “You are risking your lives.”
Who are the Druse—and Why Do They Matter?
The Druse are an Arabic-speaking religious minority that emerged as an offshoot of Shia Islam in the 11th century. Today, they number around one million globally, with communities in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In Syria, they represent about 3% of the population, while in Israel, the approximately 152,000 Druse citizens have long integrated into national life, serving prominently in the military and civil services.
During Syria’s 14-year civil war, Druse militias in Sweida maintained a largely autonomous status, resisting both the Assad regime and Islamist rebels. But since President Ahmed al-Shara took power after ousting Bashar al-Assad in December, tensions have flared anew, especially as al-Shara attempts to reassert central control.
The Political Landscape in Syria
The airstrikes come at a fragile political moment in Syria. The new president, Ahmed al-Shara, has pledged reform and reconciliation, but trust is limited, particularly among Syria’s religious minorities. His government has tried to establish control over rebellious regions like Sweida—efforts seen by some as heavy-handed and biased.
Reports suggest al-Shara’s regime has been in quiet talks with Israel, facilitated by the United States. But such backchannel diplomacy may be undermined by ongoing violence. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleges that government forces executed Druse civilians in recent clashes, further straining relations.
Sweida: A Province in Turmoil
Sweida is now in crisis. Medical shortages, blackouts, and widespread displacement have deepened the humanitarian toll. Hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed, with power and internet outages making coordination difficult.
Late Wednesday night, the Syrian interior ministry announced a ceasefire, said to be brokered by local leaders and mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The agreement calls for a withdrawal of government troops and a return to local control.
“We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight,” Rubio said in a statement.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes—sectarian violence in Syria is not new, especially after Assad’s fall. This is the third major flare-up of minority-related conflict since December. In March, government troops were ambushed along the coast, triggering bloodshed that killed over 1,600 people, mostly from the Alawite sect. In May, another outbreak of violence near Damascus led to the deaths of 39 people, largely Druse.
The pattern is consistent: power struggles, minority suppression, and regional rivalries continue to define Syria’s unstable transition.
A Dangerous Crossroads
The Israeli strikes on Syria signal more than just a tactical military operation—they represent the growing regionalization of Syria’s internal conflicts, with foreign powers stepping in under the banner of ethnic solidarity or strategic necessity.
For Israel, defending the Druse is both a moral commitment and a strategic signal. For Syria, the Druse uprising is a test of the new government’s legitimacy. And for the broader Middle East, it’s a reminder that Syria’s war may be far from over, even with Assad gone.
If the ceasefire in Sweida holds, it may offer a sliver of hope. But unless a durable political solution is found that includes protection for all minority groups, the region could once again slide into chaotic violence—with consequences far beyond Syria’s borders.
(With agency inputs)
