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Israel strikes Syrian military HQ in Damascus as fighting rages in Suwayda

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Clashes Resume Syrias Druze City Sweida After Ceasefire Announcement 2025 07 16

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"It's not necessarily the case that IS manages to regroup and make big gains."

"There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria."

"ISIS is likely already exploiting the post-Assad situation in Syria to continue its slow reconstitution in central Syria."

"[T]he chaos & anarchy [following the fall of the Assad regime] will inevitably be a boon to the Islamic State."

"ISIS will try to use this period to re-establish its capabilities, to create safe havens."

"We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities to create a safe haven."

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"Statements concerning signing a peace agreement with the Israeli occupation at this time are considered premature."

"I predict Syria will enter these accords recognize Israel and Lebanon will follow."

"Syria will be next to normalize ties with Israel, even before Lebanon."

"Syria could join the Abraham Accords by the end of 2025."

"Israel and the ruling regime in Syria are preparing to normalize relations."

"I told [Sharaa], I hope you're going to join [the Abraham Accords] once you're straightened out and he said yes."

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<span>Deadly sectarian violence erupted in Syria's southern Druze-majority city of Suwayda beginning July 13, 2025, with clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces resulting in at least 248 deaths according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (900141115, 900141127). The violence began after kidnappings and attacks between local groups, including the abduction of a Druze merchant, before escalating into widespread sectarian conflict.</span

Deadly sectarian violence erupted in Syria's southern Druze-majority city of Suwayda beginning July 13, 2025, with clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces resulting in at least 248 deaths according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (900141115, 900141127). The violence began after kidnappings and attacks between local groups, including the abduction of a Druze merchant, before escalating into widespread sectarian conflict.

<span>Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded Syrian government forces withdraw from Suwayda and threatened intensified attacks, stating 'The signals to Damascus are over - now come the painful blows' (900141127, 900141138). Israel justified its military intervention by claiming to protect Syria's Druze minority, citing deep brotherly alliance with Israeli Druze citizens and their familial ties to Syrian Druze.</span

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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded Syrian government forces withdraw from Suwayda and threatened intensified attacks, stating 'The signals to Damascus are over - now come the painful blows' (900141127, 900141138). Israel justified its military intervention by claiming to protect Syria's Druze minority, citing deep brotherly alliance with Israeli Druze citizens and their familial ties to Syrian Druze.

<span>Approximately 1,000 Israeli Druze breached the border fence near Majdal Shams and entered Syria on July 16, 2025, while dozens of Syrian Druze attempted to cross into Israel, prompting Israeli forces to use tear gas and crowd control measures (900141127, 900141138). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze not to cross the border, warning they could be killed or kidnapped and were hampering military efforts.</span

Times of Israel

Approximately 1,000 Israeli Druze breached the border fence near Majdal Shams and entered Syria on July 16, 2025, while dozens of Syrian Druze attempted to cross into Israel, prompting Israeli forces to use tear gas and crowd control measures (900141127, 900141138). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze not to cross the border, warning they could be killed or kidnapped and were hampering military efforts.

<span>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the situation as a 'misunderstanding' between Israeli and Syrian sides, expressing hope for 'real de-escalation' within hours while confirming the Trump administration had asked Israel to halt strikes (900141115, 900141121). The UN Secretary-General condemned Israel's escalatory airstrikes through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, while Turkey called the attacks 'sabotage' against Syria's new administration.</span

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the situation as a 'misunderstanding' between Israeli and Syrian sides, expressing hope for 'real de-escalation' within hours while confirming the Trump administration had asked Israel to halt strikes (900141115, 900141121). The UN Secretary-General condemned Israel's escalatory airstrikes through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, while Turkey called the attacks 'sabotage' against Syria's new administration.

<span>Syrian Interior Ministry and Druze leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou announced a ceasefire agreement on July 16, 2025, providing for immediate cessation of military operations and formation of a monitoring committee (900141115, 900141137). However, prominent Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari rejected the ceasefire, calling for continued fighting until Suwayda is 'entirely liberated,' highlighting divisions within the Druze community.</span

I24News

Syrian Interior Ministry and Druze leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou announced a ceasefire agreement on July 16, 2025, providing for immediate cessation of military operations and formation of a monitoring committee (900141115, 900141137). However, prominent Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari rejected the ceasefire, calling for continued fighting until Suwayda is 'entirely liberated,' highlighting divisions within the Druze community.

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Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes

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Israel's attacks constitute a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and an attempt to sabotage the new government's efforts to establish peace and stability. The strikes represent Israeli pursuit of military hegemony and extended occupation rather than genuine protection of minorities, undermining Syria's fragile post-war transition.

<span>Israel's attacks constitute a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and an attempt to sabotage the new government's efforts to establish peace and stability. The strikes represent Israeli pursuit of military hegemony and extended occupation rather than genuine protection of minorities, undermining Syria's fragile post-war transition.</span>

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syrias Damascus

LIVE: Israel attacks Syrias Damascus amid fighting in Suwayda

Israel Strikes Damascus as Syria Druze Violence Escalates

Israel Strikes Damascus as Syria Druze Violence Escalates

Israel bombsStrikes SyrianDamascus forcesas enteringSyria Druze cityViolence after sectarian clashesEscalates

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Israel Strikes Damascus as Syria Druze Violence Escalates

Israel bombsStrikes SyrianDamascus forcesas enteringSyria Druze cityViolence after sectarian clashesEscalates

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