Israel Launches Massive Airstrikes on Syria Amid Sectarian Clashes and Threats to Druze Minority

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a large-scale aerial assault on multiple locations across Syria late Friday, in what has been described as the heaviest Israeli assault on its northeastern neighbor this year. The strikes followed rising regional tension and deadly sectarian clashes involving Syria’s Druze minority.

According to the IDF, the strikes targeted “a military site, anti-aircraft artillery, and surface-to-air missile infrastructure.” This comes just a day after Israel attacked near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus, sending a clear warning to Syria's new Islamist-led government against harming the Druze community.

On Saturday, the IDF confirmed that troops had been deployed to southern Syria, near the Golan Heights, to prevent hostile forces from entering Druze-populated areas. “The IDF continues to monitor developments while maintaining readiness for defense and different scenarios,” a military spokesperson said.

Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that Israeli airstrikes hit multiple cities including Damascus, Latakia, Hama, and Daraa. One civilian was reportedly killed in Harasta, near Damascus, and four others were injured near Hama.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed that more than 20 Israeli strikes were conducted, describing it as the most intense offensive by Israel this year. The strikes occurred as sectarian violence erupted in areas like Jaramana and Sweida province — strongholds of Syria’s Druze population.

According to SOHR, over 100 people were killed in recent clashes between Druze militias and Syrian forces. In Sweida, an apparent drone strike — believed to be Israeli — killed four Druze fighters at a local farm, a claim SANA has also attributed to Israel.

In response to the escalating violence, Israel has begun receiving wounded Syrian Druze for treatment. Fifteen injured individuals, including five brought in overnight, are currently being treated at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed. The move followed public protests by Israel’s Druze community, demanding government intervention.

After discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif praised Israeli efforts to protect Druze interests in Syria, including the symbolic attack near the presidential palace in Damascus. Netanyahu described the strike as a “message to the Syrian regime” not to endanger Druze communities or allow hostile forces near the Israeli border.

Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto ruler Ahmed Al-Sharaa met with Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, an ally of Hezbollah, who has warned Syrian Druze against cooperating with Israel. Despite accusations from Syrian Druze clerics of a “genocidal campaign” against them, the Syrian government rejected international intervention and pledged to protect all minorities.

Tensions remain high following the December ouster of Bashar al-Assad by Islamist factions with roots in Al-Qaeda. Though Syria’s new rulers have promised inclusive governance, recent violence — including a massacre of more than 1,700 Alawite civilians in March — suggests growing instability.

As the conflict deepens, the Druze community finds itself caught between rival forces, with both Israel and Syria’s new rulers vying to shape the future of the war-torn nation.

Photo: Ofer Zidon /Flash90.