Tel Aviv [Israel], May 2 (HBTV): Israel has confirmed conducting an airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus, issuing a warning to the Syrian regime against any deployment of forces near southern Damascus or threats to the Druze community.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said, ‘This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community,’ as reported by The Times of Israel.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also confirmed the airstrike near Ahmed Hussein al-Shara’s palace. In a post on X on Friday, the IDF stated, ‘A short time ago, warplanes attacked the area near Ahmed Hussein al-Shara’s palace in Damascus.’

Meanwhile, the United States condemned the ongoing violence against Syria’s Druze community, calling it ‘reprehensible and unacceptable’.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement, ‘The recent violence and inflammatory rhetoric targeting members of the Druze community in Syria is reprehensible and unacceptable. The interim authorities must stop the fighting, hold perpetrators of violence and civilian harm accountable for their actions, and ensure the security of all Syrians.’

She added, ‘Sectarianism will only sink Syria and the region into chaos and more violence. We have seen that Syrians can solve their disputes peacefully through negotiations. We call for a representative future government that protects and integrates all of Syria’s communities, including ethnic and religious minorities.’

According to Al Jazeera, the latest wave of violence began around midnight on Monday after an audio clip critical of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad circulated on social media. The clip was attributed to a Druze scholar. However, scholar Marwan Kiwan denied involvement, stating in a video that he was not responsible for the recording, which had sparked anger among Sunni Muslims.

Earlier this week, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, spiritual leader of the Druze community, condemned the attacks in Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus, describing them as a ‘genocidal campaign’ against the Druze community.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 101 people were killed in clashes involving government forces, allied fighters, and local Druze groups. The casualties included 30 government loyalists, 21 Druze fighters, and 10 civilians—among them Sahnaya’s former mayor, Husam Warwar.

(ANI)