Syria condemns “Israeli” strikes on Suwayda, vows to defend its sovereignty
Syria’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned what it called a “treacherous Israeli aggression” following a series of coordinated airstrikes and attacks on southern Syrian territory, accusing “Israel” of deliberately escalating tensions in the region and pledging to defend the country through all legal means.
In an official statement, the ministry said the strikes had resulted in the deaths of both military personnel and civilians. “This aggression represents a new escalation, carried out through deliberate air raids and coordinated attacks on Syrian land,” the ministry said, calling it part of a continued pattern of “Israeli” violations of Syrian sovereignty.
“The attacks occurred at a calculated time and within a suspicious context aimed at undermining Syria’s national stability and increasing tensions in the region,” the statement added.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that Syria reserves its full right to defend its land and people, affirming that it will use all tools guaranteed by international law to confront aggression and protect national security. It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding all Syrians, including members of the Druze community, who it said are now facing direct threats as a result of “Israeli” attacks.
The strikes come amid ongoing violence in the southern governorate of Suwayda, home to Syria’s Druze minority, where deadly clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes erupted over the weekend. On Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a complete ceasefire in the city following talks with local leaders. Government forces had entered Suwayda earlier in the day and raised the Syrian flag at key checkpoints.
Shortly afterward, “Israel” announced that its military had begun striking Syrian regime positions in the Suwayda region, citing the need to protect the Druze minority and ensure the demilitarization of the border zone. In a joint statement, “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes targeted forces and weapons “brought into Suwayda to carry out operations against the Druze.”
“We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them,” the statement read.
The “Israeli” military claimed it struck several vehicles in the area, and Syrian state media confirmed the attacks.
The Syrian government, however, rejected “Israel’s” stated justification. The Foreign Ministry’s statement denounced the attempt to use the Druze as a pretext for foreign interference and stressed Damascus’ commitment to protecting all of its citizens.
The recent clashes in Suwayda have left more than 100 people dead, including Druze fighters, civilians, and members of the Bedouin community, according to war monitors and Syrian officials. Government forces were deployed to restore order but quickly became entangled in the fighting.
