Israel Strikes Damascus Amid Rising Tensions in Syria's Sweida Region

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israel carried out airstrikes on key government facilities in Damascus on Wednesday, voicing its concern over the Syrian government's military actions towards the Druse community in the increasingly volatile Sweida province.

Israel's airstrikes targeted the Syrian Defense Ministry and areas near the presidential palace, according to reports from Syrian authorities and a British-based war monitoring group. In a statement, Israel reiterated its commitment to protecting the Druse minority and indicated that further military action could be forthcoming if Syrian forces did not withdraw from Sweida, where recent clashes have resulted in over 200 deaths within just four days.

Despite a cease-fire announced earlier in the week, conflicts reignited on Wednesday between government troops and Druse fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported significant damage from the airstrikes, with at least nine injuries confirmed by Syria's health ministry, although the Israeli military has yet to comment on this latest development.

This recent bout of violence in Sweida is considered one of the most severe episodes of unrest in the region in years, further complicating an already precarious situation in Syria.

Euan Ward is a reporter for the Times, focusing on Syria and Lebanon from his base in Beirut.