The Syrian War The New regime

Israel bombs Damascus – defense headquarters hit

The Israeli military IDF has bombed the Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday. Local media report that the Syrian Ministry of Defense and military headquarters have been hit, reports TT.

There are also reports that an attack has hit near the presidential palace. According to Haaretz, several people have been killed and injured in the attacks.

The Israeli military says the attacks are in support of the Druze religious minority, which in recent days has been in armed conflict with government forces in southern Syria.

According to AFP, several Druze have tried to cross the border from the Golan Heights, which is annexed by Israel, to the Syrian side on Wednesday.

Reports: US wants Israel's attacks to stop

The White House has urged the Israeli government to stop attacks on targets in Syria linked to the Syrian government, according to information provided to Axios. Donald Trump's administration is said to be concerned that continued attacks could destabilize the government that has ruled the country since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

According to reports, the US fears that Wednesday's attacks will destroy attempts to reach a new security agreement between Israel and Syria.

- We have asked the Israelis to stop, says a source.

Analysis: Syria is at a crossroads - could get worse

The Druze's demand for autonomy clashes with the Syrian government's desire to regain control of the city of Sweida. This writes the BBC's Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab after the violence in southern Syria in recent days and subsequent bombings by Israel.

She writes that Israel's airstrikes are aimed at deterring the Syrian government but that they increase the risk of a wider sectarian conflict or regional spread of the violence.

“With blood already spilled and foreign actors involved, the future looks more uncertain and unstable.”

Seth J Frantzman writes that Israel has promised to protect the minority group, but that this is easier said than done. He believes that the clashes between Druze and Bedouin in recent days were expected and that the underlying causes are often complex.

He notes that the Syrian government does not want to see an autonomous Druze region with armed groups in the southern parts of the country, while the Druze themselves see the government’s actions as a way to oppress them. The developments of recent days may be difficult to stop, according to Frantzman.

“Syria is at a crossroads. Either the violence must be stopped and a way forward found – or the crisis risks worsening.”

The violence in Syria – this has happened

• Fighting between minority groups in southern Syria, especially in the city of Sweida, has broken out and led to over 200 deaths.
• Syrian government forces have entered the city for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime, sparking further violence and allegations of executions of Druze civilians.
• Israel has carried out several attacks on Syrian targets in Sweida and Damascus, citing protection of the Druze minority.
• The attacks in Damascus have hit, among other things, the defense headquarters in the capital.
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