In a major escalation of the ongoing regional unrest, Israel has conducted targeted airstrikes on Syria’s Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus. The strikes, confirmed by Israeli officials, are being described as a direct response to the violent crackdown by Syrian government forces on Druze civilians in the southern province of Suwayda, where over 240 people have reportedly died in the past week.
According to reports from both local Syrian media and international observers, Israeli jets and drones struck the gate and surrounding area of the Syrian Defense Ministry late Monday night. Loud explosions were heard across the capital, and at least one person was killed while 18 others were wounded in the attack. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the center of Damascus, a rare sight as most previous Israeli strikes in Syria have targeted areas far from the capital.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had earlier warned Syria’s interim government, installed after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, that continued attacks on the Druze minority would trigger “painful and immediate responses.” The Druze community in Israel, which shares ethnic and cultural ties with Druze communities in Syria, has been pressing its government to intervene since the violence began escalating.
The clashes in Suwayda started on July 8 after government forces reportedly fired on unarmed Druze protesters who were calling for more autonomy and protection of their rights. Since then, what began as a protest movement has spiraled into open conflict between Syrian troops and local militias. Several ceasefire attempts have failed, and the humanitarian situation has worsened, drawing international concern.
In a televised address following the Damascus strike, Israeli officials stated that the operation was not aimed at destabilizing Syria but was intended to protect “innocent Druze civilians” and send a message that Israel “will not tolerate genocidal violence on its border.”
This marks the first time Israel has openly targeted high-profile government infrastructure in Damascus since the start of the Syrian civil war over a decade ago. Most previous Israeli operations focused on Iranian-backed militias or arms transfers within Syria, making this strike especially significant and risky.
The Syrian interim government condemned the Israeli strike, calling it a “violation of sovereignty” and claiming that it would respond “at a time and place of its choosing.” However, with internal challenges mounting and much of the Syrian military infrastructure weakened since the December 2024 regime collapse, analysts believe Damascus may not have the capacity to retaliate effectively.
Israel’s strikes also come amid broader geopolitical shifts. With Syria’s government in transition, Iran’s influence in the country has diminished, and Russia has pulled back military support due to its ongoing conflicts elsewhere. This power vacuum has emboldened both local actors and neighboring countries to act more assertively.
The U.S. State Department has issued a statement urging restraint, noting that “all parties should seek de-escalation and prioritize civilian safety.” However, it stopped short of condemning Israel’s actions. Some Western diplomats have hinted that the move may be quietly supported by several governments concerned about renewed chaos spilling across the Middle East.
In the Israeli Druze towns of northern Galilee and the Golan Heights, reactions to the strike were emotional. Large groups gathered waving Israeli and Druze flags, thanking the government for “listening to our cries.” Some Druze youth had reportedly tried to cross into Syria in support of their Syrian counterparts before being stopped by Israeli security forces.
Human rights organizations continue to raise alarms about the situation in Suwayda. Videos circulating on social media show destroyed homes, frightened civilians, and what appear to be indiscriminate attacks by Syrian troops. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the violence and urged all external powers to avoid worsening the crisis.
This latest development puts further strain on Syria’s already fragile stability. The interim government, struggling to assert authority, now finds itself facing a new level of foreign military pressure. For Israel, the strikes may serve as a deterrent — but they also risk entangling the country deeper into Syria’s volatile landscape.
As tensions remain high, all eyes will be on what steps Syria’s leadership takes next and whether Israel will continue its military campaign should the violence in Suwayda persist. The broader question of regional stability, foreign intervention, and sectarian divisions continues to loom large over the Middle East.
