Israel is attacking Syria because of the Druze. What the media is writing
Israel has attacked Syrian territory, including the buildings of the Ministry of Defense in Damascus and the presidential palace. The reason for the attacks was the clashes in southern Syria, in which the Druze, an Arab minority friendly to Tel Aviv, suffered. In Damascus, they announced that they would withdraw their troops from the area of unrest. What the world's media are writing about the new conflict in the Middle East is in the Izvestia digest.
Reuters: Israel launched strikes on Damascus to protect Druze
On July 16, Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus, blowing up part of the Ministry of Defense building and striking near the presidential palace. Tel Aviv also promised to destroy the government forces attacking the Druze in southern Syria, and demanded that they withdraw their troops. These attacks marked a significant escalation against the Islamist administration of Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They occurred despite his warming relations with the United States and his administration's developing security contacts with Israel.
Reuters
Calling Syria's new rulers barely disguised jihadists, Israel said it would not allow them to send troops into southern Syria and vowed to protect the area's Druze community from attacks, encouraged by calls from the Druze minority in Israel itself. The United States has said that the fighting will cease soon.
Over the past week, dozens of people have been killed in and around the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda during clashes between fighters from the Druze minority and Government security forces and representatives of Bedouin tribes. Al-Sharaa is facing difficulties in rebuilding Syria due to deep concerns from groups wary of Islamist rule. The mass killings of members of the Alawite minority in March exacerbated this distrust.
Al Jazeera: Israel warns of escalation of hostilities
Israel, citing its commitment to protecting the Druze and preventing hostile forces from advancing towards its borders, has warned of an escalation of hostilities if Syrian forces do not withdraw from Suwayda. This province is located near the borders of Israel and Jordan, which makes it a key strategic area.
Al Jazeera
"This is a serious escalation," correspondent Zeina Khodr said. "Thus, the Israeli leadership is giving a completely direct signal to the new Syrian authorities that they will intensify such attacks ... if the government does not withdraw its troops from southern Syria."
Israeli forces attacked the General staff building in Damascus, which they said was used to lead operations against Druze forces in Suwayda. Israeli officials said the strikes were also aimed at blocking the build-up of enemy forces near the Israeli border. Shortly after the attacks in Damascus, the Syrian Interior Ministry announced a new cease-fire in Essaouida. According to state media, government forces have begun withdrawing from the area.
CNN: Syria withdraws troops from Suwayda to avoid war with Israel
The Israeli strikes, which Syria says killed at least three people in Damascus, have forced U.S. officials to take steps to prevent a larger clash between the neighboring countries. Syria has agreed to withdraw its troops from the southern city of Suwayda and conclude a new ceasefire agreement with the Druze militia in the area.
CNN
In a televised address to the nation on Thursday morning, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the country had two options: either an "open war" with Israel "at the cost of our Druze citizens," or allow Druze clerics to "return to common sense and put national interests first." "We are not afraid of war, our history is full of battles to protect our people, but we have chosen a path that puts the well—being of Syrians above chaos and destruction," al-Sharaa said.
In his speech, al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to divide the Syrian people and vowed to protect the rights of the Druze population. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a day earlier that the administration of President Donald Trump is working with all parties to the conflict to put an end to the clashes in Syria. He described the latest tension between Israel and Syria as a "misunderstanding."
BBC News: Why Israel is attacking Syria over the Druze
On July 13, the reported abduction of a Druze trader provoked days of bloody clashes between militias and Sunni Bedouins in southern Syria. Later, on July 15, Israel intervened militarily, claiming that its forces were seeking to protect the Druze and destroy pro-Government forces accused of attacking them in Al-Suwayda. At least 350 people have been killed in Essaouida since Sunday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
BBC News
The Druze are an Arabic—speaking ethno-religious minority living in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Golan Heights. The Druze faith is an offshoot of Shiite Islam with its own unique identity and beliefs. Half of the estimated one million Druze followers live in Syria, where they make up about 3% of the population. The Druze community in Israel is largely considered loyal to the Israeli State due to the participation of its members in military service.
Historically, the Druze have occupied a precarious position in the Syrian political system. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, they have resisted the state's attempts to establish its authority in southern Syria. Although the Druze factions in Syria are divided in their attitude towards the new government, from caution to complete rejection, many oppose the official presence of Syrian security forces in Essaouida and resist integration into the Syrian army, relying instead on local militias.
Associated Press: Trump receives Gulf leaders at the White House
Trump hosted two Gulf Arab leaders at the White House as violence between Israel and Syria renewed doubts about his promise to bring peace to the Middle East. The President of the United States held a meeting with Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman Al Khalifa in the Oval Office and personally had lunch with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed Al Thani.
Associated Press
The President paid great attention to the Persian Gulf, a rich region where his family members maintain extensive business ties. He has already visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE during his first foreign policy trip of his second term. Since no progress has been made in solving the region's most difficult problems, including the war in the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday Trump focused on developing diplomatic ties as a means of economic growth.
Bahrain is a long-standing ally that hosts the U.S. navy in the Middle East. The King of Bahrain, the father of the Crown Prince, is expected to visit Washington before the end of the year. An important element of the relationship will be the agreement signed on Wednesday on the development of cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy.
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