Netanyahu Orders Strikes To Protect Druze Minority In Syria

Israel launched a activity of airstrikes successful Syria connected Wednesday, July 16, targeting subject installations successful Damascus and nan confederate state of Sweida. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said nan strikes were aimed astatine protecting Syria’s Druze minority.

Fighting began Sunday aft nan abduction of a Druze merchant led to convulsive clashes betwixt Druze militias and Bedouin tribes successful Sweida. As nan conflict escalated, Syrian authorities forces moved in, prompting Israel to act.

Netanyahu said nan Israeli subject would protect nan Druze, urging Israeli citizens not to intervene. “Do not transverse nan border,” Netanyahu said. “You are endangering your lives.”

Who are nan Druze?

The Druze are an Arabic-speaking ethnoreligious minority whose religion stems from an offshoot of Shia Islam. In Syria, they are concentrated successful nan confederate state of Sweida. In Israel, Druze citizens service successful nan subject and clasp nationalist office.

How terrible was nan harm successful Damascus and Sweida?

Israeli strikes deed Syrian subject convoys, tanks, weapons depots and buildings adjacent nan statesmanlike palace and nan Ministry of Defense successful Damascus. The Syrian Health Ministry reported three deaths and 34 injuries successful nan capital.

In Sweida, airstrikes targeted authorities forces and dense weaponry moving toward nan region. According to nan BBC, nan Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported complete 350 deaths successful Sweida since Sunday, including astatine slightest 79 Druze fighters, 55 civilians, 18 Bedouin tribal fighters and astatine slightest 189 authorities troops.

Syrian officials accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Druze residents accused state-aligned militias of looting section homes and businesses.

What has Syria’s authorities said successful response?

In his astir forceful remarks since taking office, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa condemned Israel’s actions arsenic a nonstop onslaught connected nationalist sovereignty and accused Israel of trying to sow instability. He said nan strikes astir triggered a larger location conflict.

On Wednesday night, al-Sharaa said U.S., Arab and Turkish mediation had helped avert further conflict.

The Syrian authorities later announced a ceasefire and began withdrawing troops from Sweida, saying section Druze elders and factions would presume information responsibilities.

What domiciled did nan US play successful nan ceasefire?

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that American officials had helped agent “specific steps” to extremity nan violence. Syria’s overseas ministry welcomed nan mediation and confirmed nan unit withdrawals.

Though Israeli officials person not confirmed ceasefire details, Defense Minister Israel Katz said operations successful Sweida would proceed until Syrian forces afloat withdrew.