Israel strikes Syrian general staff compound in Damascus over attacks on Druze
The IDF said it targeted the compound due to the attacks being ordered from there against the city of Sweida, with allegations of atrocities being inflicted on its Druze population
Israel has carried out strikes against the Syrian government’s general staff compound in Damascus, amidst growing tensions between the two countries over the treatment of the Druze minority around the southern Syrian city of Sweida.
A statement from the IDF confirmed that Israeli forces “continue to strike military targets of the Syrian regime in Damascus”, saying that the general staff compound had been targeted because it was from there that “Syrian regime commanders manage the fighting and deploy regime forces to the As-Suwayda area.” The IDF also said that “a military target in the area of the Syrian regime’s Presidential Palace in Damascus was struck.
“The IDF continues to monitor developments and activities against the Druze civilians in southern Syria and, in accordance with the directives of the political echelon, strikes in the area and is prepared for various scenarios.”
Today’s strikes have come after reports of severe mistreatment of Syrian Druze in recent days, with reports of fighting between Syrian government forces and Druze militias. Unverified videos have circulated showing Syrian militias subjecting Druze men to the removal of their moustaches, a severe cultural insult – with allegations of far worse behaviour being perpetrated.
As reported by Times of Israel, IDF Brigadier General (res.) Amal As’ad, an Israeli Druze, told Israel’s channel 12 that the attacks on the Druze in the city of Sweida have been similar to the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October. He spoke of children being raped and pregnant women being murdered, and questioned the Israeli government’s policy towards the Syrian President, Ahmad Al-Shaara, accusing him of being “way worse” than Hamas and Hezbollah and asking “Was it possible to make peace with Sinwar? With Nasrallah?”
Earlier today, hundreds of Israeli Druze successfully breached the northern border, crossing into Syria. The IDF said it was working to return them to Israel, and has strengthened its forces on its northern border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Israeli Druze not to make further attempts to breach the border.
The IDF has also carried out military strikes on Syrian forces in the region of Sweida and the surrounding area, having previously promised to do so if Syrian troops did not withdraw.
The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria last December led to a brief moment of euphoria, as the decades-old brutal dictatorship fell apart in a matter of weeks. But suspicions remained about Syria’s new President Sharaa, also known as Al-Jolani, who was previously the head of Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate.
In Israel, the Druze minority are known for their bravery and service in the country’s armed forces, with Israel vowing to protect Druze communities beyond their own borders as a result. The videos of Druze men being humiliated by having their moustaches shaved off has also infuriated some within Israeli society who have compared this to historical photograph forced haircuts carried out by Nazis on Orthodox Jews.
Yesterday, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs called for the “elimination” of al-Sharaa, saying” “if it looks like Hamas, talks like Hamas, and acts like Hamas. It’s Hamas! We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamo-Nazi terror regime of al-Qaeda operatives in suits.
“Anyone who thinks Ahmad al-Sharaa is a legitimate leader is gravely mistaken; this is a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who ought to be eliminated now. We saw the horrific massacre of the Alawites, which European leaders remained silent about, and we now see the acts of slaughter and humiliation against the Druze. The terror regime in Syria must be fought!”
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