Why did Israel bomb Syria? A look at the Druze and Violence in Suwaida Armed groups news

Israel launched a series of intense Strikes on DamascusThe capital of Syria, a campaign that says it supports the Arab minority group.

Syria, on Wednesday, condemned the force of Israeli attacks, which led to the condemnation of strikes as “dangerous escalation“The Foreign Ministry accused Israel of following up” deliberate policy “of” excitement tensions, spreading chaos and undermining security and stability in Syria. “

Three people were killed and 34 were injured, according to Syrian officials.

This is what we know:

What happened in Syria on Wednesday?

Israel carried out a series of Air strikes In the center of Damascus, it hit a boat that includes the Ministry of Defense and regions near the presidential palace.

The Israeli army also struck targets in southern Syria, where Fighting Among the Druze groups, the Bedouin tribes and the Syrian security forces continued for more than four days. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 250 people They were killed in the province of Suwaida during the clashes.

Israel, which is already occupying the Syrian Golan Heights, says its operations are aimed at protecting the Druze minority-which are considered potential allies-the forces of the pro-government accused of attacking them. Syria rejected this and called the attack as a “strict assault.”

Where did the attacks happen?

The main attacks focused on the center of Damascus: the Ministry of Defense, the military headquarters and the areas surrounding the Presidential Palace. Additional strikes were carried out in the south.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Syria: The complex was hit several times, with two large strikes around 3 pm (12:00 PMGM), including its entrance, causing structural damage and smoke high clearly over the city.

“The Israeli warplanes (they were) were revolving around the sky on the Syrian capital,” said Zina Khoder of the island. “There was panic in the city,” she added.

Near the Presidential Palace (Al -Amayad Square): The strikes hit the areas directly around the presidential palace in the center of Damascus. Another air strike fell near the Presidential Palace in Damascus.

In a publication on social media, Israel said, “A military target has been hit in the presidential palace of the Syrian regime in the Damascus region.”

In the south: Israeli drones also targeted the city of Soyoa, Syria, a city near the border with Jordan.

Why did Israel bomb Syria?

The air strikes of Israel followed a few days of deadly clashes in Suwaida between the Syrian government forces and local Druze fighters. Violence began with kidnapping and attacks between the Druze fighters and the local Bedouin tribes. When government forces intervened to restore the regime, they ended up engaging with the Druze groups – and in some cases, it was said to target civilians.

Druze, A small but effective minority is seen in both Syria and Israel, in Israel as loyal allies, with the presence of many in the Israeli army. The ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, and the fighting resumed the next day.

Druze Suwayda appears divided. One of the leader, Yasser Tarjo, announced that a ceasefire has been agreed with the Syrian government. Another, hikmat stone, refused any ceasefire. And many Druze in Syria do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf.

Israel has its own considerations and is trying to expand its control in southern Syria since the fall of the president Bashar al -Assad in December. Israel avoided any attempts to reach a security agreement with Syria and bombed the country repeatedly this year. Many analysts believe that Israel prefers a weak Syria over a country that it believes can threaten if it grows strongly.

Attacking attacks

Israel warned, noting the commitment to protect the Druze and prevent the hostile forces from obtaining a ground near its borders, on Wednesday that it would escalate its operations unless the Syrian forces withdraw from Sowida. The province is located near the Israeli and Jordanian borders, making it a major strategic area.

“This is a great escalation,” said Khoder, Al -Jazeera correspondent. “This is the Israeli leadership that gives a very direct message to the new authorities in Syria that it will intensify such strikes … if the government does not withdraw its forces from southern Syria.”

As part of its campaign, the Israeli forces struck the General Staff Complex in Damascus, which it said was used by senior leaders to direct operations against the Druze forces in Suwaida.

Israeli officials said the strikes were also aimed at preventing the accumulation of hostile forces near the Israeli border.

Soon after the Damascus attacks, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced the new ceasefire in Suwaida. According to the government media, government forces began to withdraw from the area.

Syrian response

Syria has condemned Israeli strikes as a violation of international law, a position that many Arab governments echoed.

The new Syrian government is trying to confirm control, but it has been struggled to do so in Suwaida, partly due to the repeated Israeli threats against any governmental military presence in the province.

“The Israelis will not allow the Syrian government to spread its authority throughout the region,” said Ammar Kahf, Executive Director of the Imran Center for Strategic Studies, which is based in Damascus.

Israel said that with the fall of the Assad government and one new support, Israel is trying to impose its will on the new leadership.

“We are still in the early stages, but this requires all Syrians to meet. In order for the foreign government to enter, destroy public property, and destroy safety and security, it cannot be explained,” he said.

The Syrian government has now announced that the army forces will begin withdrawal from the city of Soyua as part of the ceasefire agreement. No withdrawal of other government security forces was mentioned.