Israeli Military Launches Strikes Near Syrian Presidential Palace Amid Rising Sectarian Tensions

Tensions Rise in Syria Following Israeli Airstrike

Damascus, Syria — Israel’s air force carried out a strike near Syria’s presidential palace early Friday, following warnings to Syrian authorities about movements in southern villages inhabited by the Druze minority. This strike is significant, coming after several days of violent clashes between pro-government forces and Druze fighters, resulting in many casualties.

This marks Israel’s second military action in Syria within a week. The location, so close to the presidential palace, sends a clear message to Syria’s leadership, which has shifted toward Islamist factions like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a prominent Druze leader, slammed the Syrian government, labeling its actions against the Druze community as "unjustified genocidal attacks."

The Israeli military reported that its jets targeted a site near the Palace of President Hussein al-Sharaa. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeled the strike a warning to Syria, asserting that they would not tolerate any threats to the Druze people.

Local media highlighted that the strike occurred close to the People’s Palace, which overlooks Damascus.

The tension began earlier this week with the circulation of an audio clip that criticized the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, allegedly by a Druze cleric. This sparked anger among Sunni Muslims. Syrian authorities reported that 11 security personnel were killed in two linked incidents, while a monitoring group reported a total of 56 casualties in the Sahnaya area and nearby suburbs, involving both local fighters and security forces.

The Druze community is a unique minority that emerged in the 10th century as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Today, they number around one million worldwide, with a significant population in Syria, particularly in the Sweida province and surrounding areas. Druze also reside in Lebanon and Israel, including the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria during the 1967 war.

This situation highlights the continuing volatility in the region, where historical grievances and modern conflicts converge. The current clashes may have roots in longstanding sectarian tensions in Syria, further complicated by external influences and internal power struggles.

For further details, you can check the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights for ongoing updates on the conflict.

Source link

Syria government, Syria, Damascus, Hussein al-Sharaa, General news, AP Top News, Benjamin Netanyahu, World news, Politics, War and unrest, Religion, Islam, 2024-2025 Mideast Wars, Hikmat Al-Hijri