This happened in the Druze-majority area of Suweida Governorate with reports of powerful Israeli airstrikes shaking Damascus.
Accordingly, the Israeli military is targeting a Syrian government military compound in the capital as well as targets near the Syrian Presidential compound as part of efforts to protect the Druze community.
The communities’ straddles both sides of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights after Syria’s military reportedly joined Bedouin militias in clashes with the Druze, an ethno-religious minority among the Arab citizens of Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
A new ceasefire announced between the Druze community and the Syrian Government is being closely watched.
Dramatic strike
A dramatic strike on Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus.
After days of clashes in southern Syria that erupted on Sunday between armed Bedouin groups and Druze militias, that has now drawn in the security forces of both the Syrian and Israeli Governments, with reports that several dozens have already been killed.
UNSG Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric says, “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned over the continued violence that we have seen in the Druze-majority area in Suweida governorate in southern Syria, which has resulted in dozens of casualties, including among civilians. He is disturbed by reports of arbitrary killings of civilians, sectarian incitement, and looting of private property. He condemns all violence against civilians, especially acts that risk inflaming sectarian tensions. The Secretary-General urges the interim authorities and local leaders to immediately de-escalate, and to protect civilians, to restore calm, and of course to prevent further incitement. He further urges the interim authorities to transparently and openly investigate and hold to account those responsible for what we have seen.”
The attacks marked an intense escalation between Israel’s military and the newly installed Islamist-led Government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
This happens despite warming ties between Damascus and Washington.
Mere days ago President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order lifting most of the sanctions targeting Syria in the aftermath of former President Bashar al-Assad’s toppling by a coalition of rebel groups in December, last year.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio says, “We’re talking to both sides, all the relevant sides on this and how we can bring it to a conclusion. But we’re very concerned.”
The UN express concern about Israeli violations of Syria’s sovereignty as Dujarric explains.
“The Secretary-General is also concerned by Israel’s airstrikes on Syrian territory and calls on Israel to refrain from violations of Syria’s independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. The Secretary-General underscores that it is imperative to support a credible, orderly and inclusive political transition in Syria in line with the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).”
Syrian government troops were dispatched to the Suweida region on Monday to quell fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed men but ended up clashing with the Druze militias themselves – as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to justify their cross-border incursions.
“We are also operating in Syria. We have an obligation to maintain the southwestern region of Syria as a demilitarized zone bordering Israel. We will not allow a return to a situation where a second Lebanon is being established there, and we are also obligated to protect the Druze residents. We are doing this through intense operations. I hope we will not have to operate any more, it depends very much on what is understood and done, and also what is not done in Damascus.”
Humanitarian Consequences
The UN warns of dire humanitarian consequences in the south of Syria.
“Our humanitarian partners in Suweida report that medical services are overstretched, and that markets and basic services such as electricity, water and education have been disrupted. UN aid operations are still suspended in the impacted areas, as movements along the main roads have been disrupted – but we are mobilising to be able to respond once the situation allows it.”
Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli strikes calling it a criminal act that constituted a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Syria’s Government says the Israeli attacks came at a calculated moment, aimed – in its view – at undermining its national stability and striking at Syrian unity at a critical juncture at which it seeks to emerge from the aftermath of years of war.
Syrian State television and a leader of the Druze community have since confirmed that a new ceasefire arrangement had been reached after a similar agreement on Tuesday collapsed within hours.
--SABC--
