syrian druze

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Israeli strikes targeted areas near Sweida, a Druze-majority city, following the withdrawal of Syrian government forces after clashes with local fighters. These strikes occurred amidst escalating violence, with reports of civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns. Israel asserts its actions aim to protect the Druze minority and prevent hostile forces from establishing a presence near the Golan Heights.

Israel's stated commitment to defending the syrian druze is, by the admission of some of its leaders, consistent with a long-term strategic goal -- the weakening of Syria. "The State of Israel feels indebted to the Druze and their exceptional commitment to the Israeli army," said Efraim Inbar, a researcher at the INSS. According to Inbar, defending the Druze is also part of the new post-Assad geopolitical landscape in which Israel "is trying to protect the Druze and Kurdish minorities from the Sunni majority and prevent Turkey from extending its influence to Syria".

The UN special envoy for Syria condemned recent Israeli airstrikes following clashes between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters, which have resulted in nearly 100 deaths. Israel stated its forces are on the ground in Syria to protect the Druze minority. The airstrikes targeted areas near Damascus and other Syrian regions, prompting international concern over escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty.

Deadly sectarian violence between Druze militias and Bedouin fighters in southern Syria has escalated tensions, prompting Israeli intervention. Israel, citing a commitment to protect the Druze minority, launched airstrikes after Syrian forces intervened to restore control in Suwayda. The Druze community faces challenges with Syria's new government regarding disarmament and representation, leading to ongoing conflict and a fragile ceasefire agreement.

syrian druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri on Thursday condemned what he called a "genocidal campaign" against his people, after two days of deadly sectarian clashes. His call comes after sectarian clashes between Syrian security forces, fighters aligned with them, and local Druze fighters killed 17 people in Jaramana on Monday night and 22 people in Sahnaya on Tuesday night, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitor.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel carried out a strike in Syria on Wednesday on an "extremist group" preparing to attack members of the Druze community in the Damascus region. "The IDF (military) carried out a warning action and struck the organisation of an extremist group preparing to attack the Druze population in the town of Sahnaya, in the Damascus region of Syria," said a statement from the Israeli leader's office.

Hundreds of clerics from Syria's Druze minority on Friday are heading to Israel where they will conduct a pilgrimage to a sacred shrine, the second such visit since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. Unlike during a smaller visit to the shrine last month, the clerics will spend the night in Israel this time.

Fresh clashes erupted in southern Syria between Druze armed groups and Bedouin clans, prompting government forces to redeploy after a fragile ceasefire. The renewed violence follows earlier fighting where government forces sided with Bedouins, leading to Israeli airstrikes in defense of the Druze.

Clashes have intensified in Sweida, southern Syria, after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed. Israel has threatened to escalate its involvement, citing support for the Druze minority, and has conducted airstrikes near Damascus. The conflict follows a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar Assad, leading to sectarian tensions and violence against minorities.

Following reports of an attack on Sweida, Israel struck Syrian military vehicles in the area. This action comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu declared the need to immediately strike regime forces operating against the Druze population. Druze leaders initially called for armed factions to surrender, but a subsequent retraction highlighted broken promises and continued shelling of civilians.

Israel launched a direct strike on the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus following escalating violence against Druze civilians in southern Syria. The IDF confirmed the strike, targeting military infrastructure near the Defense Ministry, as part of a broader campaign to deter threats near Israel's northern border.

Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near Syria's presidential palace following escalating clashes between pro-government forces and the Druze minority. This action, Israel's second this week, serves as a stern warning to Syria's Islamist-led leadership. The strikes followed Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri's condemnation of the government's actions against his community.