Shortly before 1:00 PM, the Israeli Air Force launched a wave of strikes targeting armored vehicles, tanks, artillery positions, roads, and concentrations of regime forces in the Suwayda region. The strikes coincided with statements by Israel’s Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, affirming that harm to the Druze community would not be tolerated.
Alongside the attacks, videos emerged showing convoys of tanks and armored vehicles being loaded onto transporters, suggesting a possible withdrawal of regime forces. While it’s unclear whether this is linked to the Syrian Defense Minister’s earlier declaration of a ceasefire or a direct result of the Israeli strikes, the logistical preparation visible in the videos points toward the former as the more likely scenario.
At present, it appears that the Syrian Ministry of Defense has transferred responsibility for handling the situation in Suwayda to the Ministry of Interior and the General Security Directorate (al-Amn al-Aam).
Various reports indicate that over 100 people have been killed in clashes so far, with widespread destruction of buildings and property throughout the city. Social media footage shows casualties on both sides, including a significant number of civilians. The overall death toll is expected to rise.
It is important to note that much like in previous instances, and despite the graphic footage circulating and the pressure on Israel to act against the Syrian regime, the situation has not, as of this writing, escalated into a large-scale massacre or a broad assault on the Druze population.
