Druze in Syria Face Growing Threats; Israeli Airstrikes Signal Strong Support for Ethnic Ties

International News: Israel launched heavy strikes on Syria on Wednesday, targeting key regions of the country and threatening to destroy government forces attacking the Druze minority in southern Syria. Israel labelled Syria's new administration, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as barely disguised jihadists and refused to allow Israeli forces to move into southern Syria. Israel has pledged to protect southern Syria's Druze community against attack, with the Israeli Druze minority urging them to stay safe.

A large number of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the Druze-majority city of Sweida, which the Syrian military entered on Monday.

Why did Israel attack Syria?

The primary rationale for Israel's decision to strike Syria is to defend the country's Druze minority and to prevent Syrian soldiers from entering or approaching shared border areas. According to an Israeli military officer, the attacks hit the entrance to Damascus' military headquarters as well as a target near the presidential palace.  Israel interfered because Syrian forces couldn't seem to stop the attacks on Druze and were contributing to the crisis, an official stated.

Working towards saving the Druze, says Israeli Prime Minister

Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, stated that the IDF would "continue to operate vigorously in Sweida to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until they completely withdraw." On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country is "committed to preventing harm to Syria's Druze due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria".

Collapse of ceasefire

Earlier this week, Syrian government forces invaded Sweida to deal with armed conflicts between Druze and Bedouin men. But they ended up fighting against the Druze militants.  On Tuesday, Syria and the Druze minority reached a ceasefire, which eventually failed.

Who is the Druze community?

Druze are followers of a Shiite Islam sect known as Ismailism, which originated in the 10th century.  More than half of the world's approximately 1 million Druze live in Syria. The majority of the other Druze live in Israel and Lebanon, including the occupied Golan Heights.  In Syria, the Druze minority is centred in the Sweida region, which borders Jordan, in areas adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan, and in Damascus' Jaramana district.

Statement from the Syrian government

The Syrian government issued a statement on Wednesday saying that anyone responsible for the chaos and violence in Sweida would be held accountable. It confirmed the government's commitment to protecting the rights of Sweida residents.