Israel launched massive airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, as a response to apparent attacks against the Druze minorities in Sweida.

Damascus

Israel carried out major airstrikes in the center of Damascus, Syria, targeting military headquarters. The action was taken in response to accusations that Syrian government forces attacked members of the Druze religious minority in Sweida. The strikes resulted in significant damage to the targeted buildings and increased security measures in the area, with reports of ongoing caution and military presence.

In the aftermath, Syria's interim president addressed the nation, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting Druze citizens and announcing that local religious elders and factions would now oversee security in affected areas. The situation in Sweida remains tense, with reports of gunfire and ongoing efforts to recover victims. The Druze community has expressed concerns about both government protection and foreign intervention.

Israel bombs Syria in response to treatment of Druze people

We turn now to developments in Syria this morning after Israel launched massive airstrikes in the heart of Damascus yesterday. You see the footage next to me and this is considered a major escalation. Those strikes captured on live television. Cats, in Al-Jaish, say you want to move on to what. You can see the shockwave as it moves there through that broadcaster. Israel has vowed to destroy Syrian government forces, accusing them of attacking members of the Druze religious minority in the nation. In his first televised address following those strikes, Syria's interim president this morning said it was his priority to protect the country's Druze citizens, adding security in the area will now be handled by religious elders and local factions. Lina Sinjar with our partners at BBC News joins us now from Damascus there, the capital of Syria. Great to have you join us this morning. Update us on the situation there as far as safety and security. Well, I just passed in the early hours of the morning by Umayyad Square where the headquarter of the military is located where the airstrike took place and it was really a big damage to the building. Almost part of the front building is completely destroyed and also the ceiling probably flew in the air because of the airstrikes. People are taking movements with really caution today. The security is spread in this area, even the military. They prevented us from getting inside the building. They were scared that there might be more hits. They kept telling us there are warplanes, warplanes, but of course we couldn't hear any warplanes or drones. So that gives you the sense how everyone is really on alert here while the situation in Suwayda is still volatile. Although we've had reports that the official army has withdrawn from the city center, there are still some gunfire heard over the outskirts that is keeping people cautious in their movement. Many of those who we spoke to earlier said that they are trying to go out in the street to retrieve bodies and get them to funeral or get them into the hospitals. Now, Israel says it is doing this in order to protect a religious minority in the country, the Druze. I'm just wondering after yesterday's strikes, what the mood is generally and your perspective on how that community, the Druze community, is treated in general? Well, you know, the Druze have always been really an essential part of the Syrian society. Since the fall of Assad with the new Islamist-led government taking over, part of the Druze community refused to be allied and be connected to the central command in Damascus. They refused to join forces and some of them even called for international protection. And I think the whole episode that happened over the past few days was really the basic of it is that the Druze have not joined forces with the official government. From their side, they say that this government is not inclusive and is trying to enforce its own powers on the Druze community rather than having the Druze being part of the government, part of the army, part of the security. Many of the Druze don't want to see Israel interfering, don't want to see Israel attacking under the pretext that it's protecting the Druze minority. But they also say that this government failed to protect them and failed to be an inclusive one. There is a ceasefire deal. President, the Interim President al-Shara'a came out to address the nation, excuse me, and to stress that the Druze are important part of the society, but we'll have to wait and see how this will unfold and be implemented on the ground. Yeah, and we will continue to watch this closely. Lina Sinjar, we appreciate you joining us. It's 2.12 in the afternoon there. You and the crew, please do stay safe.

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