Israel launches “warning operation” in Syria to deter attack on Druze
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it carried out what it called a “warning operation” against an extremist group allegedly preparing to attack the predominantly Druze town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in the south of Damascus, Syria.
The announcement came through a joint statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The operation came amid ongoing armed clashes in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya between Syrian security forces and what state media have described as “lawless armed groups.”
Syria’s Ministry of Health reported that 11 members of the General Security forces were killed in the fighting.
In the joint statement, Netanyahu and Gallant said that the Israeli army launched a preventive strike targeting an “extremist” group preparing to attack the Druze population in Sahnaya town.
They added that “a message was passed on to the Syrian regime – Israel expects it to act in order to prevent harm to the Druze.”
The announcement follows a local agreement reached Tuesday between Syrian government representatives and Druze leaders in the nearby city of Jaramana. The agreement reportedly included provisions for holding perpetrators of recent violence accountable and de-escalating sectarian tensions.
The situation in southern Syria remains volatile, with heightened concerns about potential regional spillover and community-targeted violence.