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Israel has carried out a military strike in Syria, targeting an “extremist group” that, according to the Israeli side, attacked members of the Druze community. This step was the first officially confirmed Israeli strike in support of the Syrian Druze since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. The strike took place against the backdrop of escalating sectarian violence in the Damascus area, which has caused concern both in the region and internationally.
The course of events
According to Reuters, the Israeli strike was carried out in the city of Sakhnaya, located on the outskirts of Damascus, where a significant number of Druze live. The Israeli side called the operation “pre-emptive” and said it was aimed at protecting the Druze minority, which has faced attacks following an outbreak of sectarian violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz stressed that Israel expects the new Syrian government, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, to act to prevent harm to the Druze. “We have sent a clear message to the Syrian regime: Israel will not tolerate harm to the Druze community,” they said in a statement.
The Syrian side, for its part, strongly condemned Israel’s actions. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it “categorically rejects any form of foreign interference” in the country’s internal affairs, although Israel was not directly mentioned. The Syrian Interior Ministry reported that Israeli drones attacked government security forces in Sakhnayeh, killing one soldier. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 22 people were killed in Sakhnaya, including six Druze fighters and 16 representatives of government forces or their allies.
Cause of the conflict
Sectarian violence erupted on Tuesday, 29 April, in the predominantly Druze suburb of Jaramana in Damascus. The conflict was triggered by an audio recording in which, according to Sunni militants, a representative of the Druze community insulted the Prophet Muhammad. This led to clashes between the Druze and Sunni armed groups, which left more than a dozen people dead. On Wednesday, the violence spilled over into Sahnayah, where, according to local residents, fierce street fighting continued. One resident of Sakhnaya, Elias Hanna, told Reuters: “We are in panic and fear because of the indiscriminate shelling, which is forcing us to stay in shelters.”
Reaction of Syria and the international community
Syria’s new Islamist government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was previously linked to al-Qaeda but cut ties in 2016, has repeatedly stated its intention to ensure inclusive governance. However, recent incidents of violence, including the killing of hundreds of Alawites in March, have heightened minority fears for their safety. In a statement, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Osama al-Rifai, stressed that the shedding of the blood of any Syrian is forbidden, calling for an end to the violence.
The Syrian Interior Ministry announced the deployment of hundreds of security forces in Sakhnai after agreements with local pro-Druze leaders. As of Wednesday evening, the situation in the city had stabilised, although some firefights were still reported. A ceasefire was reached in Jaraman, but investigations into the origin of the audio recording are ongoing.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has expressed deep concern over the violence in the suburbs of Damascus and Homs, calling for immediate action to protect civilians and prevent sectarian violence.
Israel’s role and the regional context
Israel’s recent actions in Syria reflect its distrust of the new Syrian government, which Israel considers to be linked to jihadist groups, in particular Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated a terrorist organisation by the UN, the US, the EU and the UK. After the overthrow of Assad, Israel increased its military presence in the region, seizing territory in southwestern Syria, including the demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, and conducted hundreds of strikes on Syrian military targets.
Israel also has close ties with the Druze community living in both Syria and Israel, particularly in the occupied Golan Heights, which was captured in 1967. The spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, said he was closely following the events in Syria and discussed the situation with the Israeli Minister of Defence. In addition, Israel evacuated three wounded Syrian Druze for medical treatment in Israeli hospitals.
Challenges for Syria
The current crisis highlights the difficulties faced by Syria’s new government in ensuring the security of minorities. Friendly fighters refuse to obey Damascus’s calls to disarm, citing the government’s inability to protect them from hostile groups. At the same time, Israel is using the situation to strengthen its influence in the region, which is causing criticism from Turkey, Syria’s key ally. Ankara has accused Israel of fomenting division and manipulating minorities.
The events in Sakhnai and Jaraman are yet another reminder of the fragility of Syria’s post-civil war situation. As the new government attempts to consolidate power, sectarian conflicts and external interference continue to threaten the country’s stability.
