Скачать или смотреть Israeli strikes fuel tensions in Syria amid sectarian violence

Israel has bombed an area near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria early this morning, its clearest signal yet of hostility toward the new Islamist-led Syrian authorities and a preparedness to ramp up military action, taking advantage in the name of Syria's Druze minority.

The strike followed days of Sectarian clashes and attacks on Druze triggered by a voice recording insulting the Prophet Mohammed.

The clashes have extended to the Druze-majority province of Suweida, where ‘unknown Islamist factions’ have attempted a large-scale attack on the villages. But were countered by local forces.

A joint statement by the Druze community affirmed their rejection of division, secession, or separation, and emphasized the need to activate the role of the Ministry of Interior and the judicial police in Suweida, using personnel from the province. It also called on the state to secure the "Suweida–Damascus" road.

Israel has escalated military operations in Syria since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, with bombings across the country and ground forces entering its southwest.

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