On early Friday, Israel’s air force conducted strikes near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus, following warnings to Syrian authorities against advancing toward villages inhabited by the Druze minority sect. These military actions responded to recent violent clashes between pro-government forces and Druze fighters, which resulted in numerous casualties.
The Israeli military confirmed that fighter jets targeted areas near President Hussein al-Sharaa’s palace, although specifics were scant. Syrian state media reported that the strikes occurred close to the People’s Palace, located on a hill overlooking the capital.
The Druze are a religious minority with roots in a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a sect of Shiite Islam. Of the approximately one million Druze globally, over half reside in Syria, while others are located in Lebanon and Israel, particularly in the Golan Heights, territory captured by Israel during the 1967 war and later annexed. In Syria, the majority of the Druze population is concentrated in the southern province of Sweida and suburbs of Damascus.
The context of the airstrike underscores ongoing tensions in the region, as clashes between different factions continue to destabilize areas around Damascus. Israel’s actions are part of its broader strategy to counter Iranian influence and maintain security along its borders, particularly regarding groups it perceives as threats. The situation remains fluid, reflecting a complex interplay of local and regional conflicts.
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