Israeli forces conducted a precision airstrike on a Syrian army headquarters near Damascus on July 16, 2025, following warnings to Syrian authorities to cease military operations against the Druze community in the south.
The early morning attack, confirmed by Syrian state media, destroyed a command center in the Qasioun Mountain area, killing five soldiers and injuring 12, according to preliminary reports. Israel’s military issued a statement citing self-defense, alleging Syrian support for Iranian proxies threatening the Druze, a minority group with historical ties to Israel, though Damascus denied the claims, calling it an act of aggression.
The strike escalates a pattern of cross-border incidents, with Israel conducting over 50 airstrikes in Syria in 2025 alone, per UN monitors. Druze leaders in Sweida expressed cautious relief, noting recent clashes with regime forces. International reactions vary, with the U.S. urging de-escalation and Russia condemning the strike as a violation of sovereignty. The incident risks widening the Syrian conflict, with analysts questioning the sustainability of Israel’s preemptive strategy amid regional instability.