"Israel" launched airstrikes early Friday targeting a location just 400 meters from the Syrian Presidential Palace in Damascus, where President Ahmad al-Sharaa resides, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent. The Israeli military later confirmed the attack, stating that its aircraft had struck the area in what it described as a warning to the Syrian government.

In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz said, “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”

Katz reiterated the warning on social media, stating that al-Sharaa would “see the results” of the strike and understand "Israel’s" determination to "prevent harm to the Druze in Syria".

The Israeli security minister accused the Syrian leadership of failing to stop what he called “rioters” and insisted that it is al-Sharaa’s responsibility to secure the Druze-populated suburbs of Damascus. 

“It is our duty to protect the Druze in Syria from harm, for the sake of our Druze brothers in Israel, their loyalty to the state, and their immense contribution to Israel’s security,” he concluded.

Escalation in Damascus and Suweida as armed clashes continue

At the same time as the airstrike, militants opened fire on the police headquarters in Damascus province from two different directions, using medium and light weapons, local sources reported.

In the western countryside of the Suweida region, the villages of Labin, Haran, Jareen, and al-Dour came under continuous shelling for hours by armed groups. 

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Earlier in the week, Israeli airstrikes targeted armed groups in the vicinity of Sahnaya and Ashrafiyet Sahnaya, towns located south of Damascus. A local source told Al Mayadeen that the targets were believed to be factions operating in proximity to Druze communities.

Unfolding the story

Clashes continued to intensify across southern Syria this week, particularly in the Damascus countryside, despite the announcement of a preliminary ceasefire in select areas.

Fighting erupted overnight on Thursday on the Kanaker front, with local sources confirming to Al Mayadeen that heavy gunfire and mortar shelling struck the village.

By dawn, local factions reportedly repelled an armed assault by militant groups, successfully halting the offensive although intermittent gunfire persisted.

The latest confrontation follows several days of deadly unrest in southern Damascus. On Tuesday, violence broke out between government-backed armed groups and local residents in Jaramana and Ashrafiyet Sahnaya, resulting in approximately 70 fatalities. The dead included civilians, armed factions, and members of Syria’s General Security Force.

The conflict was initially triggered by the leak of an audio clip containing insults directed at Prophet Muhammad. Although Druze religious leaders swiftly denounced the content, the unrest persisted.