16.07.2025 17:40
Syrian President Ahmed Shara, in his first statement following the airstrikes carried out by Israel on the capital Damascus, conveyed the message, "I will defend every inch of Syria's land."
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Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting the Presidential and General Staff headquarters in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM SHARA: I WILL DEFEND EVERY INCH OF SYRIA
Following the Israeli attacks, the first statement came from Syrian President Ahmed Shara. According to the Syrian News Agency, Shara shared the message, "I will defend every inch of Syria."
The agency also reported that there is a "state of general alarm" in all provinces, emphasizing that no one should move without the instructions of the Syrian leadership.
AIR STRIKES FROM ISRAEL TO DAMASCUS
Israel began targeting the capital Damascus under the pretext of the clashes in the city of Sweida, Syria. In the initial attacks, the General Staff headquarters was hit, while subsequent attacks targeted the Presidential Palace.
The Israeli army carried out a series of new attacks following the airstrike on the General Staff headquarters in Damascus around noon. The moments of the General Staff headquarters being hit, which was targeted in multiple attacks, were captured by Syrian news channels during live broadcasts. Israeli warplanes also targeted the Presidential compound, with thick smoke rising from the compound after the attack.
The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that one person was killed and 18 others were injured in the Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.
ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER 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 Binyamin Netanyahu.
NETANYAHU: DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER, ALLOW THE ISRAELI ARMY TO ACT
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Druze citizens of Israel in a video message shared on his office's X account. Claiming 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 said to 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 urged, "Return to your homes, and allow the Israeli army to act."
ISRAELI STATE TELEVISION: MESSAGE TO SHARA
In a news report aired on Israeli state television regarding the attack on Damascus, it was stated, "Israel carried out an attack on Damascus as a message to the Syrian President (Ahmed Shara) following the Druze massacre in Sweida."
SURFACE OF SYRIAN PRESIDENCY: WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE SAD VIOLATIONS
The Syrian Presidency shared a message regarding the events in Sweida, stating:
"The Syrian state has been carefully monitoring the sad violations that occurred in some areas of Sweida province in recent days. These actions fall under criminal and illegal behaviors, which are unacceptable under any circumstances and are in direct contradiction to the principles upon which the Syrian state is based.
As the Syrian government, we strongly condemn these ugly actions and commit to investigating all related incidents, ensuring that every individual or party proven to be involved—whether an individual or an external organization—will be subject to deterrent legal responsibility. We will never allow such actions to go unpunished."
US AMBASSADOR BARRACK'S CONDEMNATION STATEMENT
The US Ambassador to Ankara, Thomas Barrack, stated in a post on social media, "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."
ISRAELI ARMY: PERSONS COMING FROM SYRIA WERE BLOCKED
On the other hand, the Israeli army announced that it has blocked individuals coming from Syria at the border line in the Golan Heights under its occupation, following the events in Sweida where the Druze were at the center.
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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.
INCIDENTS ERUPTING IN SUEYDA
On July 13, clashes had begun in Syria's Suwayda province, located on the Jordanian border, between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze armed groups over mutual kidnapping incidents. The Damascus administration had dispatched security forces affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior to the region to stop the clashes.
On the morning of July 15, violent clashes also occurred between security forces entering Suwayda and local groups. Defense Minister Murhaf Ebu Kasra declared a ceasefire in Suwayda but stated that a response would be given in case of any attack or gunfire from illegal groups.
Hikmet el-Hicri, one of the spiritual leaders of the Druze, initially approved the entry of government forces into the city but later backtracked on this stance and called on the people of Suwayda to resist government forces.
Recently, Israel has increased its attacks on Syria, justifying this by citing security threats to the Druze population in the south. The Tel Aviv administration had announced that it would activate "military deterrence" against any harm to Druze communities.
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