Politics Damascus condemns Israel's airstrikes - Druze leader thanks Israel
The Syrian interim government has called on the world to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.
02.05.2025, 16:31
SDA
The international community and the Arab states must confront "the repeated Israeli aggression" and do everything possible to put an end to it, according to a statement from the presidential palace.
Israel's air force had attacked several targets in the capital Damascus following fierce fighting between members of the Druze minority, pro-government militias and state security forces in Syria.
Israel sees Druze as allies
"This is a clear message to the Syrian regime," Israeli newspapers quoted from a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on the attacks. Israel would not allow "the Druze community to be threatened".
The Druze are a religious minority whose members live mainly in Syria, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. In Israel, many Druze serve voluntarily in the army - the Jewish state sees them as allies.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 100 people were recently killed in fierce clashes between Sunni militias and Druze gunmen in Syria.
Demonstrations in Israel and Syria
The spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, Sheikh Muwafak Tarif, thanked Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for his order to protect the Druze, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Members of the Druze minority had temporarily blocked roads in Israel to demonstrate for the protection of their fellow believers in Syria.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, demonstrations also took place in the Syrian cities of Homs and Daraa - albeit against the Israeli airstrikes.
Surroundings of the presidential palace hit
The Syrian presidential office confirmed that the area surrounding the presidential palace was also hit. Damascus described the attacks as a "dangerous escalation and an attempt to destabilize Syria and undermine the country's unity". Qatar condemned Israel's attacks as an act of aggression and a serious breach of international law.
During the course of the day, Syrian media also reported an airstrike near the city of Suweida. Israel's military said on request that it was not aware of any attack there.
