Israel’s military confirmed it targeted the entrance of Syria’s defence ministry in Damascus on Wednesday, intensifying its operations in the country with the stated aim of shielding the Druze minority from government aggression.
The strike marks the third consecutive day of Israeli attacks in Syria, where Syrian regime forces have been engaged in fierce clashes with Druze fighters in the southern city of Sweida. Israeli officials said their intervention was aimed at curbing violence against Druze civilians.
Security sources inside Syria’s defence ministry told Reuters that at least two drone strikes hit the ministry compound, forcing officers to shelter in the basement. State media outlet Al-Ikhbariya reported that two civilians were injured.
“The Israel Defence Forces struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters complex in Damascus,” a military statement read. “We continue to monitor the situation, particularly regarding threats to Druze civilians in southern Syria.”
Simultaneously, airstrikes and shelling rocked Sweida, a predominantly Druze city, where a fragile ceasefire announced Tuesday quickly fell apart. Local media outlet Sweida24 reported heavy artillery and mortar fire across the city and nearby villages.
Tensions have been high since Monday, when Syrian troops were deployed to contain fighting between Druze and Bedouin armed groups, but ended up clashing directly with Druze militias. Syria’s defence ministry blamed “outlaw groups” in Sweida for breaking the truce and urged residents to remain indoors.
Civilians told reporters that they were sheltering in their homes without electricity, gripped by fear as explosions echoed across the city.
Reuters/s.s