Israel Threatens to Escalate Syria Strikes

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israel has threatened to increase its military attacks on Syria unless the government in Damascus withdraws its forces from the southern province of al-Suwayda, where deadly clashes have erupted between regime-aligned forces and the local Druze population.

In a series of statements, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called on Damascus to “leave the Druze in al-Suwayda alone,” confirming that the Israeli military has already begun striking Syrian forces in the area and warning that the response will intensify if the message is not heeded.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to immediately strike regime forces and weapons that were introduced into the al-Suwayda area," Katz initially wrote on his official X account. He stated the Syrian military presence was for “regime activity against the Druze - in violation of the demilitarization policy.”

In a subsequent statement, Katz reiterated the warning, promising no let-up in Israeli military attacks until Syrian forces withdraw. He said Israel would "raise the level of responses against the regime if the message is not understood."

The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had already struck military vehicles belonging to government forces in the al-Suwayda area. This action was justified by Katz, who cited the "deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel, and their familial and historical connection to the Druze in Syria."

The sentiment was echoed by the head of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, who on Wednesday called the situation "an existential battle for the Druze community."

Katz stressed that Israel is acting to "prevent the Syrian regime from harming the Druze and to ensure the demilitarization of the area adjacent to our border with Syria."

This direct Israeli intervention follows a desperate appeal from the Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarian Muslims, who called on the international community, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, to "Save al-Suwayda." The leaders described the situation as an "extermination," with "massacres being committed in full view of the world."

The violence, which began on July 13, has resulted in nearly 250 deaths, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The toll includes 156 members of the Syrian Ministry of Defense and its allies, 71 residents of al-Suwayda, and at least 21 civilians who were reportedly summarily executed. According to witnesses and SOHR, Syrian government forces took part in the fighting alongside Bedouin tribes against the Druze.

The policy of demilitarization mentioned by Katz has been a long-standing Israeli position. In February, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that southern Syria must be completely demilitarized, warning that Israel would not accept the presence of the Damascus government near its territory.