Why Israel bombed the headquarters of the Syrian Army in Damascus

Among the deceased are three Syrian commanders, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR).

Druss are a branch of Chiismo that, historically, have occupied a precarious position in the Syrian political order. Half of its approximately million members lives in Syria, where they represent about 3% of the population.

Earlier this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamín Netanyahu warned that he would not tolerate any threat against this community.

Since the weekend, bloody clashes between Sunni Bedouins and members of the Drusa community in the country, particularly in the Sweida area, where the forces of the Syrian army have been accused of committing abuse, have also been accused.

During these clashes some 300 people would have died, according to the Sohr.

In the last hours dozens of Druss who live in the Altos del Golán, a territory that Israel annexed in 1981, approached the border with Syria and some crossed the other side with the intention of helping their co -religionists.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamín Netanyahu, asked them not to do so, warning of a “very serious” situation in Sweida.

The news of Israeli attacks to Syria have generated concern in the United States, where the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, asked that they cease.

The head of American diplomacy informed the press that Washington wants the end of the fighting and confirmed that they have already come into contact with the sides confronted.

The American envoy Tom Barrack also asked all the parties to “take a step back.”

The White House also asked Israel to suspend its military operations in Syrian territory and explore a dialog

Lina Sinjab, correspondent for the Middle East of BBC News

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, the Drusa community of Suweida has resisted any reaffirmation of the authority of the central government. While not all Druse features agree, many rejected the presence of official military or security forces in their main city, instead opting to govern and protect themselves through local militias.

This desire for autonomy unleashed growing tensions with the Bedouin groups in the region, many of which have the support of the new Islamist government of Damascus.

What began as a fragile balance quickly crumbled. On Sunday, clashes broke out between Drusites and Syrian troops deployed under the pretext of restoring stability.

However, information from local sources indicate that these forces committed abuse: they killed civilians, looted homes and humiliated community leaders. The high the negotiated fire failed in a matter of hours.

Israel's intervention has further complicated the panorama. Their attacks seem to have Damascus to disadvantage to move towards Suweida, but also increase the risk of a broader sectarian or regional propagation.

For now, the Druss face a tough reality: their autonomy demands collide directly with the determination of Damascus to recover control. With the blood already spilled and the foreign powers now involved, the way to follow is increasingly volatile and uncertain.

Although Israel's attacks in Syria may seem a demonstration of strength, they reflect more than that.

The Post-Assad Syrian government is still in diapers: its army and its security forces are weak, they are fragmented and fight to maintain control.

Immediately after the fall of the former al-Assad in December, Israel launched a wave of air attacks against more than 400 military locations in just 48 hours.

The intention was clear: to avoid any rapid militarization that could threaten Israeli security, especially close to its northern border.

Although the new Syrian leadership has pointed out that it has no interest in a regional war, and it is possible that discrete negotiations with Israel are being carried out, backed by the United States, the Israeli government sees a red line in the presence of what it considers forces aligned with Islamism near the Drusa communities and the damping area on the border.

The attacks have both a deterrent and warning effect.

But the campaign has consequences. It is causing indignation on Syria Street and even dividing opinion among the Druzos, some of whom reject any association with Israel.

Ultimately, these attacks are both political and military, and their objective is to mold the emerging order post-ass before it is consolidated.

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