Israel’s military said it struck the entrance to Syria’s defence ministry in Damascus on Wednesday, intensifying its operations with the stated aim of protecting the Druze minority in southern Syria.
The strike marked the third consecutive day of Israeli attacks in Syria, amid ongoing clashes between government forces and local Druze fighters in the southern city of Sweida.
Security sources inside the Syrian defence ministry told Reuters that at least two drone strikes hit the building, forcing officers to take shelter in the basement. Syrian state-owned Elekhbariya TV reported that two civilians were wounded.
The Israeli military confirmed it had "struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime's military headquarters complex" in Damascus. It also said it was "continuing to monitor developments and the actions being taken against Druze civilians in southern Syria."
On Wednesday, Syrian state media and witnesses said Israeli strikes also hit Sweida, a city with a large Druze population. A ceasefire announced the previous evening quickly collapsed as fighting resumed.
Syrian government forces had been deployed to Sweida on Monday to stop fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed groups but ended up clashing directly with the Druze militias.
Local outlet Sweida24 reported that the city and nearby villages were under heavy artillery and mortar fire early Wednesday. Syria’s defence ministry, through state news agency SANA, blamed "outlaw groups" in Sweida for violating the truce and urged residents to remain indoors.
Several residents, speaking to Reuters by phone, said they were sheltering at home without electricity and feared for their safety.
Israeli air strikes on Damascus - targeting the Syrian military headquarters, defence ministry, and areas around it - aim to sabotage Syria's efforts to establish peace and security, Turkey's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry said Syria had an historic opportunity to live in peace and integrate into the world after the toppling Bashar al-Assad, the former president, in December.
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