The Israeli regime has reportedly carried out airstrikes on Syrian government infrastructure in the south of the country, allegedly in response to attacks on Druze civilians in Suweida province. In a statement, the Israeli military claimed it targeted a command center and weapons storage at army compounds overnight. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of further action, stating that Israel would not allow the Syrian government to "exploit" the wider regional war to target Druze communities and would strike "with even greater force" if necessary.

The Syrian foreign ministry denounced the attack as "an outrageous assault on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and dismissed Israel's justification as "flimsy pretexts and fabricated excuses". It asserted that the strikes represent an escalation continuing Israel's policy of "interference in internal affairs with the aim of undermining security and stability".

Escalating violence in Suweida, a predominantly Druze province in southern Syria, has seen clashes intensify between government forces and local armed groups in recent days. The Syrian interior ministry provided a different account, claiming that security forces dismantled an organized criminal network involved in car theft and drug trafficking, with nine suspects arrested in the operation. This unrest follows previous violence in the region, where clashes last July resulted in hundreds of deaths.

Analysts suggest that while concerns exist about Syria being drawn more directly into the regional conflict—particularly as Israel increases strikes against Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon—the latest escalation is more closely tied to internal dynamics than the regional war. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has purportedly emphasized Damascus's efforts to avoid involvement, stating in a speech after Eid al-Fitr prayers in the capital, "We are calculating our steps with extreme precision and working to keep Syria away from any conflict."

Source: www.bbc.com