Israeli strikes hit near Syrian presidential palace, military sites
Damascus
The Israeli military launched an attack near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday, as Israel vows to protect Druze civilians amid brutal sectarian violence in Syria's south.
An Israeli military representative said there was a 'military target' in the vicinity of the palace, which is the official seat of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, but did not provide any details.
Israeli jets delivered three precise airstrikes on the Syrian capital, according to a dpa reporter at the scene and a monitoring group, with other targets including the entrances to Syria's Ministry of Defence and the General Staff headquarters.
Thick black smoke billowed over the area as ambulances rushed to the site. Residents nearby told dpa that the blasts shook their homes and shattered windows.
The debris included chunks of concrete and metal from the General Staff building, striking vehicles in Umayyad Square.
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said: 'It seems they were targeting the Syrian defence minister or sending him a direct message, as he was leading operations in Sweida,' in southern Syria.
Syria's SANA news agency quoted the Ministry of Health as saying at least 18 people were injured in the Israeli strikes.
The Israeli military said earlier on Wednesday its fighter jets had carried out attacks on the 'regime's military headquarters.'
The Israeli military said the operation was a response to the unrest in southern Syria, where government forces have been accused of violent repression against the Druze minority. Israel struck other parts of Syria this week.
Israel said it was monitoring the Syrian government's actions and aimed to support the Druze community, describing them as allies. Many Druze serve voluntarily in the Israeli army.
Clashes between Sunni Bedouins and Druze civilians in southern Syria have escalated sharply in recent days, centred on the Druze-majority city of Sweida.
Syrian government troops were deployed to the area. The troops, along with allied groups, have been accused of attacks on civilians, including executions.
According to the UK-based observatory, forces have executed Druze civilians during the crackdown. The monitor estimates that around 300 people have been killed in the violence since Sunday.
Since the beginning of the year, the observatory has documented 70 Israeli attacks on Syrian territory - 60 by air and 10 by land - targeting or damaging some 102 sites, including weapons depots, military positions and vehicles.
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Israel has been trying to expand its control in southern Syria since al-Assad's fall and has repeatedly bombed the country this year. During the fighting in Suwayda, Israel demanded the Syrian troop withdrawal to create a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and has been moving its ground forces deeper into the Golan Heights.
