Israel Strikes Syrian Military HQ in Damascus and Warns Against Targeting Religious Minority Group

Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus amid renewed clashes in the country. The gate of the Ministry of Defence in the Syrian capital was targeted by two warning missiles from an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft. State-owned Elekhbariya TV reported that the Israeli strike had wounded two civilians. It came as Israeli airstrikes also targeted security and army vehicles in the southern city of Sweida, where the Druze faith is prominent, marking the third consecutive day of Israeli strikes on Syrian forces. The Israeli military confirmed it had struck the entrance gate in Damascus and expressed concern about actions taken against Druze civilians in southern Syria.

Local media reported heavy artillery and mortar fire in Sweida and nearby villages on Wednesday. The clashes signified the breakdown of a ceasefire between Syrian government forces and Druze armed groups, with Israel indicating it would escalate its involvement to protect Druze groups. Israel stated it was acting to safeguard the Druze through its attacks on convoys of Syrian forces. Syria, on the other hand, blamed militias in Sweida for violating a ceasefire agreement reached just the day before.

Israel's defence minister Israel Katz stated that the military would continue striking Syrian forces until they withdraw and emphasized the need to 'leave Druze alone'.