US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep concern regarding the Israeli strikes in Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday, which resulted in one death and injuries to at least 18 individuals, according to the Syrian health ministry. This latest round of military action is part of ongoing tensions in the region.
Context of the Strikes
The Israeli army initiated strikes near the Syrian army and defense ministry headquarters in Damascus after Israel issued warnings against targeting the Druze community. Reports indicate that the Syrian government had deployed forces in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, leading to clashes with Druze fighters who had previously controlled the area.
Witnesses reported that Syrian government forces collaborated with Bedouin tribes to launch attacks against Druze fighters and civilians in Sweida. This violence marks the most significant unrest in Syria since earlier clashes that left over 100 people dead in April and May.
According to an AFP report, the death toll from recent violence in southern Syria now exceeds 300.
Israel’s Stance on Protecting Druze
An Israeli military official stated on Wednesday that Israel would not allow the Syrian army to establish a military presence along their shared border and emphasized the protection of the Druze population in southern Syria. “The Syrian army was part of the problem, not the solution to the crisis,” the official explained, adding that it failed to safeguard the Druze minority.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) described the military headquarters in Damascus as the location from which Syrian regime commanders direct operations and deploy forces to As-Suwayda. The IDF also confirmed strikes on a military target near Syria’s presidential palace.
Live Coverage Captures Intensity
In a dramatic incident reminiscent of earlier conflicts, a Syrian reporter was disrupted during a live broadcast when an Israeli bomb struck a building behind her in Damascus. In the video, the reporter initially appeared calm before abruptly fleeing the scene following the explosion.
Israel’s defense minister Israel Katz shared the footage, captioning it: “The painful blows have begun.”
החלו המכות הכואבות pic.twitter.com/1kJFFXoiua
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
Ongoing Military Preparations
The IDF has confirmed that it continues to monitor developments and the regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria. “In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is striking in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios,” the IDF stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Additionally, military officials indicated that some troops currently deployed in the Gaza Strip would be sent to reinforce the northern border with Syria. Reports mention that Israeli soldiers are preparing for potential deployment in response to escalating tensions.
As the situation unfolds, international attention remains focused on the implications of these military actions and the broader impact on regional stability.
