Jerusalem, July 16:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the situation in Sweida and southwestern Syria as “very serious,” emphasizing that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are taking decisive action to protect the Druze community and confront regime-backed militias.
In a public statement on Wednesday, Netanyahu said, “The IDF is operating, the Air Force is operating, other forces are operating. We are acting to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime.”
He urged Druze citizens not to cross the border into Syria, warning that doing so would put their lives at grave risk. “You are risking your lives; you could be murdered, taken hostage, and you are impeding IDF efforts,” he said.
The IDF confirmed that it had struck the Syrian regime’s military headquarters near Damascus and attacked military targets over the past 24 hours, including tanks, rocket launchers, and armed pickup trucks en route to the Sweida region. These operations are aimed at disrupting the regime’s movement and preventing further violence against minority communities, particularly the Druze.
On social media platform X, the IDF posted: “The IDF continues to attack military targets of the Syrian regime in Damascus… From the General Headquarters in Damascus, regime commanders are sending forces to the As-Suwayda area.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the persecution of minorities in Syria, highlighting a “recurring pattern” of attacks. He cited the recent burning of the ancient Mar Michael Church in northern Sweida and previous ISIS-led assaults on Christian sites.
“Islamist aggression violently targets all minorities in Syria – Druze, Alawites, Kurds, and Christians,” said Sa’ar. “What else needs to happen for the international community to raise its voice?!”
The Israeli government continues to monitor the situation closely amid escalating tensions in the region.
