“Israel struck near the presidential palace in Damascus last night,” Netanyahu stated alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz. “This sends a clear message to the Syrian regime: we will not allow forces to deploy south of Damascus or threaten the Druze community.”
No immediate response was seen from Syria.
Sectarian Clashes in Syria
The strike comes after days of sectarian violence between Sunni gunmen and members of the Druze community.
The clashes were triggered by an audio clip on social media criticizing the Prophet Muhammad, attributed to a Druze cleric, which angered Sunni Muslims.
These clashes have left several people dead or injured.
Following a series of massacres in March, more than 1,700 civilians, many from Syria’s Alawite community, were reportedly killed.
Netanyahu’s Endless Wars
Who are the Druze?
The Druze follow a monotheistic faith that is a branch of Ismailism, a form of Shiite Islam.
Most members of the sect live in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, including the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The strikes reflect Israel’s deep suspicion of Sunni Islamists who have clashed with the regime of Bashar Assad, and the promise to protect the Druze.
Since Assad’s forced departure, Israel has taken control in parts of south Syria, neutralizing the Syrian army’s heavy weapons and pledging to protect the Druze.
Edited by: Sean Sinico
