Syria-Israel Conflict 2025: Druze Protection and Airstrikes Explained

The ongoing conflict in Syria has taken a dramatic turn in July 2025, with Israel launching airstrikes in Damascus and southern Syria. These attacks, aimed at Syrian government forces, come amid rising violence in the Druze-majority region of Suweida. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to protect the Druze community, while Israel claims its actions are to safeguard them.

What Sparked the Violence in Suweida?

The unrest in Suweida, a Druze-majority province in southern Syria, began on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a Druze merchant was abducted on a highway to Damascus. This led to clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes backed by the Syrian government. The fighting escalated, with reports of looting, arson, and summary executions. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 300 people have died, including 79 Druze fighters, 40 civilians, and 189 government forces.

The Syrian government sent troops to Suweida to restore order, but Druze residents accused them of attacking civilians and burning homes. This prompted Israel to intervene, claiming it was protecting the Druze community, which also has ties to Druze populations in Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel’s Airstrikes on Damascus: What Happened?

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Israel carried out powerful airstrikes in Damascus, targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry and areas near the presidential palace. The strikes caused significant damage, with parts of the Defense Ministry reduced to rubble. Residents reported hearing fighter jets and seeing columns of smoke over the capital. Israel’s military said it also hit armored vehicles and weapons storage sites in southern Syria to prevent attacks on the Druze.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the strikes were to “save our Druze brothers” and prevent southern Syria from becoming a “terror stronghold.” However, analysts like Mohamad Elmasry from the Doha Institute argue that Israel’s actions are more about expanding control and weakening Syria than protecting the Druze.

Syria’s Response and the Druze Community’s Fears

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in his first televised speech since the strikes, emphasized that protecting Druze citizens is a “priority.” He rejected attempts to pull the Druze into foreign conflicts, saying, “We are not afraid of war, but we prioritize the interests of Syrians over chaos.” Sharaa’s government, led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), faces challenges in uniting Syria’s diverse communities, including the Druze, Alawites, and others, after years of civil war.

The Druze, who follow a religion derived from Islam, are a minority in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Suweida, they fear sectarian violence, worsened by past attacks from groups like HTS, which some consider heretical. Residents like Osama and Munzer from Suweida described a “catastrophic situation,” with summary executions, food shortages, and power outages.

International Reactions and Ceasefire Efforts

The United States has stepped in to mediate, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing on July 16, 2025, that “specific steps” have been agreed upon to end the violence. Syrian forces began withdrawing from Suweida late Wednesday as part of an agreement with local Druze leaders. The Syrian foreign ministry welcomed U.S. and Arab efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2025, to address the conflict. Israel’s ambassador, Danny Danon, called for condemnation of “barbaric crimes” against Syrian civilians, while Syria accused Israel of violating international law.

Why Is Israel Involved?

Israel’s involvement is driven by its concerns over security in southern Syria, near the Golan Heights, which it occupies. Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, targeting military assets. The Druze issue provides a reason for Israel to justify its actions, but critics like Al Jazeera’s Marwan Bishara argue it’s part of a strategy to assert regional dominance.

Israeli Druze citizens have also crossed into Syria to support their community, prompting Netanyahu to urge them to return and let the military handle the situation. This cross-border movement highlights the deep ties between Druze communities across borders.

Casualty Figures and Humanitarian Crisis

The violence in Suweida has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. Below is a summary of the reported casualties:

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 27 civilians were summarily executed by government forces. In Suweida, hospitals are overwhelmed, with tanks reportedly attacking the national hospital, causing panic. Residents face shortages of water, food, and medical supplies, with power outages adding to the crisis.

What’s Next for Syria and the Druze?

The ceasefire agreement and Syrian troop withdrawal from Suweida may reduce immediate violence, but tensions remain high. Sharaa’s government must rebuild trust with minority groups like the Druze, who fear Islamist rule. Israel’s continued airstrikes and presence in the Golan Heights buffer zone could escalate the conflict further. The international community, including the U.S. and U.N., will play a key role in pushing for stability.