Simultaneous airstrikes on Damascus, Sweida

The Israeli army targeted the General Staff Complex in Damascus and several sites in Sweida as part of what it called a “disarmament” policy, demanding the withdrawal of the transitional government forces from Sweida and affirming its support for the Druze community.

16 July, 2025 13:25

NEWSDESK

Moments ago, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on positions belonging to the transitional government in both Damascus and Sweida, including the General Staff Complex in the capital, according to Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X platform.

Israeli Army Radio confirmed that the airstrikes were part of the so-called “disarmament” policy in southern Syria. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Israeli drones targeted the city of Sweida amid escalating clashes between regime forces and armed groups in the province.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that “the Syrian regime must withdraw from Sweida and leave the Druze alone,” stressing that Israel “will not abandon the Druze community” and that the military will escalate its response if warnings are ignored.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, sent a message to the Israeli government urging it to choose between supporting the Druze or cooperating with ISIS, referring to alleged support for extremist factions in the region.

This escalation comes amid rising sectarian tensions in southern Syria, where Sweida serves as the main stronghold of the Druze community.

A-H

ANHA