Israel Strikes Damascus: Defense Ministry Hit Amid Sweida Crisis Escalation

Israel has intensified its military campaign in Syria, launching a series of airstrikes that struck key locations in central Damascus, including the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defense and areas near the presidential palace on Mount Mezzeh.

According to Syrian officials, three precision strikes hit sensitive sites across the capital, killing at least three people and injuring 34 others. Among the primary targets was the Hayʾat al-Arkan complex in Umayyad Square, which houses the Ministry of Defense. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it struck the entrance to the complex, stating the operation was aimed at dismantling command centers allegedly coordinating attacks in southern Syria.

Simultaneous strikes near the presidential palace were interpreted as a direct message to Syria’s transitional government, led by President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, who later condemned the attacks as a “wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities.” He warned the strikes had nearly escalated into a broader regional conflict—an outcome only avoided through urgent mediation by the United States, Arab League members, and Turkish authorities.

These developments come amid ongoing sectarian violence in Sweida province, where clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes allied with government forces have resulted in between 169 and 300 deaths since early July. Israel has cited these clashes as justification for its intervention, asserting its obligation to protect the Druze minority both within its borders and in neighboring regions.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that further military action could follow if Syrian forces do not fully withdraw from Druze-populated areas. “We will continue to deliver painful blows until there is a complete retreat from positions that threaten regional stability,” Katz declared.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “deep concern” over the strikes and revealed that a de-escalation framework had been close to finalization before the attacks. “There appears to have been a breakdown in communication,” Rubio said, describing the situation as a “serious misunderstanding” between involved parties.

As tensions continue to rise, observers warn that without diplomatic breakthroughs, the conflict risks spiraling into a larger confrontation involving multiple regional actors.