Israeli military carries out airstrike in Syria, reports of massive explosion in Damascus

DAMASCUS: Israel carried out a major airstrike in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The attack took place near the presidential palace in Damascus. International media reports that one person was killed and at least 18 people were injured. It is indicated that Israel carried out a series of attacks. International media say that Israel is supporting the Druze, an Arab minority militia that is fighting the newly elected Syrian government.

'Painful strikes have begun,' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X after the airstrike. According to footage released by Syrian news channels, Israel attacked the building in Syria where the Defence Ministry is located. It is adjacent to the Syrian presidential palace. The Israeli military also confirmed the attack. There was a clash last weekend between Druze forces and the Bedouin tribe. The Syrian government intervened in this. It was in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda.

The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has called on Israel to halt the attack. Meanwhile, Israel Katz said the move was to protect the country's southern border and protect the Druze. “Our Druze brothers in Israel: You can count on the Israel Defence Forces to protect your brothers in Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as defence minister, have made a commitment, and we will uphold it,” Katz added.