Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

'Israel' bombs Syrian admin. citing threats to Druze minority

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Apr 2025 20:25
2 Min Read

The strikes reportedly hit positions near Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, a town southwest of the capital where clashes have been reported between armed Druze and Syrian security forces.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Members of Syria's security forces deploy during an operation on the outskirts of the town of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Clashes earlier in the area left at least 11 people dead, a day after heavy exchanges of fire between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana killed 10. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes on the outskirts of Damascus on Wednesday, claiming the operation aimed to prevent an attack on Syria's Druze population.

The strikes reportedly hit positions near Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, a town southwest of the capital where clashes have been reported between armed Druze and Syrian security forces.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military stated that the operation targeted an "extremist group" preparing to assault Druze civilians in Sahnaya. Channel 14 confirmed that the Israeli Air Force had launched four separate strikes "to send messages regarding the need to protect the Druze."

On a related note, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz, said they expected the Syrian government to intervene to stop such threats.

The narrative aligns with "Israel's" long-documented practice of weaponizing Druze identity for geopolitical ends, particularly in the occupied Golan Heights, where Druze communities continue to reject Israeli annexation. 

A military source later revealed that the Israeli strikes targeted a drone launch site and weapons cache belonging to Syria's Ministry of Defense in the Daraya orchards.

Related News

Russia in talks over military bases in Syria with new government

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

Another source confirmed the use of Israeli drones and noted that at least two individuals were killed in the strike. Additional UAVs were observed entering Syrian airspace from the occupied Golan, heading toward the confrontation lines south of Damascus.

#BreakingNews 🇮🇱

Israeli warplanes have been conducting intensive flights in Syrian airspace.pic.twitter.com/OcDC09MH84

— Batu Han (@19BaTHaN19) April 30, 2025

A Syrian interior ministry official described the broader operation as an attempt to reassert state authority in the face of escalating violence by armed groups operating autonomously.

Syria's official news agency SANA quoted the Rural Damascus Security Director as saying that a security operation in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya had concluded, with General Security forces deployed "to ensure the restoration of security and stability."

However, the situation on the ground remains highly volatile, with ongoing reports of violence and clashes between armed Druze and Syrian security forces.

Read more: 'Minutes to leave': Alawites purged from Damascus neighborhoods

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 22 people were killed amid the Sahnaya violence, including six individuals from the Druze community and sixteen from security forces or affiliated units.

  • Syria
  • Ashrafiyat Sahnaya
  • Druze
  • Druze community
  • Damascus
  • Sahnaya
  • HTS

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS