Israel intensified its military action against Syrian forces on Wednesday, striking the entrance gate of Syria’s defence ministry in Damascus amid ongoing violence between Bedouin fighters and Druze militant groups in the country’s southern Suweida province over power struggle.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, marking its first attack in Damascus since local clashes erupted on Sunday.
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), at least 169 people have died and over 200 have been injured in the fighting thus far.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to Damascus, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Syrian forces from Suweida.
“The IDF will continue to attack regime forces until they withdraw from the area and will escalate if this message isn’t understood,” Katz said.
Despite earlier US efforts requesting Israel to de-escalate, Israeli air raids targeted Syrian forces around Suweida and neighboring Daraa province, reportedly killing at least 20.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said these strikes aimed to “prevent harm to the Druze.”
Experts and critics say Israel is using the local conflict to intervene more and cripple an already politically fragile nation.
Internal divisions among Druze leaders complicate the response to Damascus, with some factions advocating minimal cooperation while others have considered integration into national institutions.