Tensions in the Middle East intensified on Wednesday after Israel carried out a direct strike on Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus, further heightening instability in the region.
The strike came amid renewed clashes between Syrian government forces and Druze fighters in the southern city of Suwayda.
Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the operation, stating that Israeli forces targeted the entrance of the Syrian military headquarters in the capital.
The attack followed his warning to the Syrian government to pull back from Suwayda, where fierce fighting had erupted again despite a short-lived ceasefire announced by Damascus on Tuesday.
In his statement, Katz said the operation was launched in response to the Syrian military’s actions against Druze fighters, whom Israel regards as potential allies in the conflict and claims to be protecting.
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Al Jazeera correspondent Osama Bin Javaid, reporting live from Damascus, described witnessing two drone strikes on the Syrian Ministry of Defence one hitting near the entrance and another striking the rear of the building.
He further noted that drones continued to circle the area as Syrian air defense units fired in retaliation, signaling that the confrontation was far from over.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also confirmed the attack in a post on X, “The IDF struck the entrance of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in the area of Damascus in Syria.”
“The IDF continues to monitor developments and the regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria.
“In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is striking in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios.”
This development comes even as Reuters reported that the administration of President Donald Trump asked Israel to stop its strikes on Syrian military forces in the south of the country.