Violent clashes erupt between armed Druze, security forces in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Syria

Clashes between security forces and members of the Druze community erupted early Tuesday in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, southwest of Jaramana near Damascus in Syria, following an attack on checkpoints set up by government forces, sources told Al Mayadeen. The sources added that the clashes escalated near dawn Wednesday, with unidentified airstrikes targeting government-backed units attempting to retake control. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement that the "Israeli army carried out a warning operation and struck an organized gathering of an extremist group that was preparing to continue attacking Druze residents in the town of Sahnaya, in Syria’s Damascus Governorate." According to the statement, "A stern message was delivered to the Syrian government," urging it to "prevent harm to the Druze community." A local source confirmed that the curfew in Sahnaya has been extended until 5:00 pm today.