03-05-2025
UN slams Israeli airstrikes in Syria as clashes with Druze fighters intensify
The United Nations on Saturday strongly criticised a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Syria, calling for an immediate halt to the attacks. This came as Israel confirmed its troops were on the ground in southern Syria to protect the country's Druze minority, after several days of deadly clashes between Syrian Druze fighters and pro-government gunmen.
Syrian media said the Israeli airstrikes late Friday hit several areas, including the capital Damascus and its outskirts, as well as parts of southern and central Syria, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Israel's army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that the strikes targeted a military base and anti-aircraft systems. He said Israeli forces were present in southern Syria 'to prevent any hostile force from entering the area or Druze villages.' He also confirmed that five injured Syrian Druze were brought to Israel for treatment.
#عاجل 🔴 تم إجلاء الليلة الماضية خمسة مواطنين سوريين من أبناء الطائفة الدرزية لتلقي العلاج الطبي داخل إسرائيل حيث تم نقلهم إلى المركز الطبي زيف في تسفات (صفد) بعد إصابتهم داخل سوريا.
🔴 تنتشر قوات جيش الدفاع في منطقة جنوب سوريا وتبقى مستعدة لمنع دخول قوات معادية إلى المنطقة…
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 3, 2025
According to Syria's state news agency SANA, four people were hurt in central Syria. The attacks also hit Harasta near eastern Damascus, as well as the provinces of Daraa in the south and Hama in the centre of the country, AP reported.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O Pedersen, condemned the airstrikes in a message on X. 'I strongly condemn Israel's continued and escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty, including multiple airstrikes in Damascus and other cities,' he said. Pedersen called on Israel to 'stop endangering Syrian civilians' and to respect Syria's independence and borders.
. @GeirOPedersen I strongly condemn Israel's continued and escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty, including multiple airstrikes in Damascus and other cities.
— UN Special Envoy for Syria (@UNEnvoySyria) May 3, 2025
The fighting has gone on for four days, leaving almost 100 people dead. It is the most serious fighting between Syrian government forces and Druze fighters since President Bashar Assad was overthrown in December. His family had ruled Syria for more than 50 years.
Israel has its own Druze community and has promised to protect the Druze people in Syria. It has also warned Islamist groups to stay away from areas where Druze live. Since Assad's fall, Israel has launched many airstrikes in Syria and taken control of a buffer zone near the Golan Heights.
The Druze are a small religious group that started in the 10th century as a part of Shiite Islam. Around half of the estimated 1 million Druze in the world live in Syria, mostly in the southern Sweida province and suburbs of Damascus like Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya. Others live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and later annexed.
