Israel Intervenes with Airstrikes Amid Escalating Sectarian Clashes in Syria

Sat Dec 13 2025 20:06:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israel has launched airstrikes in Syria amid increasing sectarian violence, resulting in significant casualties among Druse militia members and civilians.

In a dramatic escalation of ongoing conflicts, Israel executed airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday to address escalating sectarian violence primarily affecting regions inhabited by the Druse minority. This surge in conflict has led to around 39 deaths over recent days, including 22 fatalities reported on Wednesday. The Israeli military indicated that the airstrikes were aimed at a group of operatives accused of instigating violence against Druse civilians near Damascus. The local Syrian governor confirmed the casualties from the airstrike included both a government security member and a civilian.

Tensions have been mounting in the region, particularly in the town of Ashrafieh Sahnaya, where clashes broke out between pro-government factions and Druse militants. The situation has raised concerns for the sizable Druse community within Israel, many of whom maintain a sense of loyalty to the nation. Furthermore, Israeli officials hinted at potential future strikes against Syrian government forces if the violence continues unabated, suggesting a growing commitment to intervening in Syrian internal conflicts involving rival factions.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring entity based in Britain, reported the ongoing violence, highlighting the volatile atmosphere around the outskirts of the Syrian capital and marking a troubling trend of rising sectarian conflict in the region.