Israel bombed Syria’s military general headquarters, a location near the presidential palace, and other sites in central Damascus yesterday, killing three people and injuring 34.
The strike came after days of deadly clashes that erupted on Sunday in Sweida, a city in southern Syria near the Jordanian border, involving Druze and Bedouin minority groups, and the intervention of the Syrian army. The violence was triggered by disputes between Druze and Bedouin communities.
The fighting ended late yesterday, after the interim government announced a ceasefire, the withdrawal of government forces, and the return of control of Sweida to the Druze. At least 300 people were killed.
Sweida is the heartland of the Druze, an ethno-religious minority whose faith traces back to early Islam.
Sweida is the heartland of the Druze, an ethno-religious minority whose faith traces back to early Islam. Globally, the Druze population numbers around one million, with communities also present in other Middle Eastern countries.
Israel struck Damascus under its self-declared role as “protector” of Syria’s Druze minority. This position allows Israel to intervene in southern Syria while also pursuing a range of other goals, according to the New York Times.
Primarily, it prevents Iranian-backed militias in the region from stepping in to “defend” the Druze and establishing a presence near the Syria–Israel border. At the same time, it reassures Israel’s own Druze minority, with whom the Israeli government maintains close ties.
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