16.07.2025 20:22
In the airstrikes carried out by Israel on Damascus, 6 people have been reported dead so far, while 28 others have been injured. In a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was said, "Syria will defend its territory and people by all means necessary. We call on the international community to take urgent measures against Israel's attacks."
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Israel has taken action under the pretext of the clashes in the city of Sweida, Syria. Israeli warplanes have started targeting the capital, Damascus. In the initial attacks, the General Staff was targeted, while subsequent attacks hit the Presidential Palace.
6 CASUALTIES IN ISRAEL'S ATTACKS The moments of the General Staff being hit, which was the target of multiple attacks, were captured by Syrian news channels during live broadcasts. After the attack, thick smoke rose from the compound. The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that 6 people lost their lives and at least 28 were injured in the Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.
SURIA: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST TAKE URGENT MEASURES The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the Israeli attacks. In a statement, the ministry said, "This blatant Israeli attack is part of a systematic policy aimed at escalating tensions and creating chaos. We hold Israel completely responsible for the consequences of this dangerous escalation. Syria will defend its territory and people by all means necessary. We call on the international community to take responsibility and urgent measures to put an end to the Israeli attacks."
DERA ALSO TARGETED ALONG WITH DAMASCUS Israeli warplanes targeted the Gabgab and Musbin regions of Dera, southern Syria, at 18:40 local time. The warplanes also struck the 100th Brigade compound located in the Katana area of the suburbs of Damascus at 19:15 local time.
US SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO: WE WANT THE CONFLICTS TO END US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at a signing ceremony for the Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani at the State Department. When asked about Israel's attacks on Syria, Rubio said, "I just spoke on the phone with the relevant parties. We are very concerned about this, and I hope we will receive some updates later today." Rubio stated, "We want the conflicts to end," noting that a ceasefire was achieved overnight, but they were still "very concerned."
CEASEFIRE ACHIEVED IN SWEIDA A ceasefire has been established between security forces and local armed groups in Sweida province, which has witnessed violent clashes. According to security sources in Sweida, all military activities will be halted in accordance with the agreement, and the guns have fallen silent.
KATZ: ATTACKS WILL INTENSIFY Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated in a post on X that their attacks on Syria will intensify. Katz threatened the Damascus administration with more severe attacks if the Syrian army does not completely withdraw from Sweida in the southwest of the country.
Addressing the Druze in Israel, Katz said, "You can trust the Israeli army to protect your brothers in Syria," claiming that they will fulfill their commitment to "protect the Druze" alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
NETANYAHU: DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER, LET THE ISRAELI ARMY ACT Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also addressed the Druze citizens of Israel in a video message shared on his office's X account. Stating that the situation in southwestern Syria is very serious, Netanyahu reminded that the Israeli army has been conducting attacks under the pretext of "protecting the Druze."
Netanyahu urged the Druze, "I have a request from you. You are Israeli citizens. Do not cross the border. You could be killed or taken captive."
Claiming that the Druze are putting their lives at risk by crossing the border, Netanyahu said, "Return to your homes, and let the Israeli army act," signaling an attack.
ISRAELI STATE TELEVISION: MESSAGE TO SHARA In a news report aired on Israeli state television regarding the attack on Damascus, it was stated, "Israel launched an attack on Damascus as a message to the Syrian President (Ahmed Shara) following the Druze massacre in Suveyda."
SURIA PRESIDENCY: WE HAVE BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE SAD VIOLATIONS The Syrian Presidency shared a message regarding the events in Sweida, stating:
"The Syrian state has been closely monitoring the sad violations that occurred in some areas of Sweida province in recent days. These actions fall under criminal and illegal behaviors and are absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances, and they are in direct contradiction to the principles upon which the Syrian state is based.
As the Syrian government, we strongly condemn these heinous acts and commit to investigating all related incidents, holding accountable every individual or party proven to be involved in these events – whether an individual or an externally sourced organization – to deterrent legal responsibility. We will never allow such actions to go unpunished."
US AMBASSADOR BARRACK'S CONDEMNATION STATEMENT US Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barrack stated in a post on X, "We absolutely condemn the violence against civilians in Sweida. Period. All parties must step back and initiate meaningful dialogue that will lead to a lasting ceasefire, and the perpetrators must be held accountable," he said.
US Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barrack ISRAELI ARMY: PERSONS COMING FROM SYRIA WERE STOPPED Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that it has prevented individuals coming from Syria at the border line in the Golan Heights under its occupation, following the events in Sweida where the Druze are centered.
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In a statement from the Israeli army, it was noted that individuals attempting to cross the border from Syria in the Hader region of the Golan Heights were detected. It was reported that the Israeli army prevented the passage of individuals in the area and worked to disperse the crowd.
HIGH TENSION IN THE REGION DUE TO THE DRUZE AND BEDOUIN TRIBES' TENSIONS The justification for Israel's recent increase in attacks on Syria is cited as security threats to the Druze population in the south. The Tel Aviv administration had announced that it would activate "military deterrence" against harm to Druze communities.
INCIDENTS ERUPTING IN SUEIDA On July 13, clashes had begun over mutual kidnapping incidents between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze armed groups in Syria's Suweida province.
The Damascus administration had dispatched security forces affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior to the region to stop the clashes.
Violent clashes had also occurred between security forces entering Suweida on the morning of July 15 and local groups. Defense Minister Murhaf Ebu Kasra declared a ceasefire in Suweida but stated that a response would be given in case of any attack or gunfire from illegal groups.
One of the spiritual leaders of the Druze, Hikmet el-Hicri, initially approved the entry of government forces into the city but later backtracked on this stance and called on the people of Suweida to resist government forces.
Israel has also been conducting airstrikes around Suweida in Syria under the pretext of "protecting the Druze" since yesterday.
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