• Source:JND
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The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday announced that it had struck the entrance of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in the capital city of Damascus. The attack marks a significant development in Israel’s ongoing military operations in Syria, amid rising concerns over the treatment of the Druze minority in the country’s southern regions.

According to a statement from the IDF, the strike was carried out in accordance with directives from Israel’s political leadership. The military further emphasised that it continues to monitor developments in Syria, particularly the actions of the Syrian regime against Druze civilians in the city of Sweida and surrounding areas. "The IDF remains prepared for various scenarios," the statement read.

Two Syrian security sources confirmed to Reuters that an Israeli strike had indeed hit the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus. Local reports indicated that the entrance gate of the headquarters sustained damage. The Syrian government has not issued an official statement, but state-run media acknowledged renewed violence in Sweida and reported Israeli drone activity in the area.

The entrance gate of the Ministry of Defence was reportedly damaged, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. This follows a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting regime convoys and military posts in recent days.

Renewed Fighting In Sweida 

The strike comes amid renewed clashes in the southern city of Sweida between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters. A fragile ceasefire brokered earlier had collapsed, leading to the resumption of armed conflict. Israeli officials have condemned the Syrian regime’s heavy-handed tactics against the Druze and stated that the military actions are intended to deter further violence.

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Druze: A Minority Under Pressure

The Druze are a religious sect that originated in the 10th century as a branch of Ismaili Shiite Islam. Today, over half of the estimated one million Druze live in Syria, with the rest residing in Lebanon and Israel, particularly in the Golan Heights, territory captured by Israel from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981.

Israel, home to a large Druze population, has expressed deep concern over the Syrian regime’s treatment of Druze civilians, especially in Sweida.

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In a related development, the Israeli military announced it will reinforce its positions along the Syrian border, signaling preparedness for further escalation. While Israel typically refrains from commenting on specific operations in Syria, this strike, targeting a major regime military installation, sends a clear warning.