Despite repeated calls from the United States to reduce tensions, Israeli warplanes carried out new airstrikes in southern Syria on Wednesday. According to Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya, Israeli jets conducted three strikes near the outskirts of Sweida province, followed by a fourth targeting the 52nd Brigade in eastern Daraa.
This escalation comes amid reports from Israel's Channel 12 citing a U.S. official who stated that Washington had requested Israel halt its attacks on Syrian government forces operating in the south. According to the same source, Israeli authorities had agreed to suspend the strikes starting Tuesday night.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday called on Syria to "leave the Druze in Sweida alone", after the government in Damascus sent troops to the southern region to quell unrest.
"As we have made clear and warned, Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria and will enforce the demilitarisation policy we have decided on," he said in a statement. Syrian forces should withdraw, he added, and promised no let-up in Israeli military attacks until that happened, saying Israel would "raise the level of responses against the regime if the message is not understood".
The U.S. news outlet Axios also confirmed these developments. In a post on the social media platform X, journalist Barak Ravid reported that Israel had informed the Trump administration of its intention to pause operations in southern Syria.
At the same time, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly the recent clashes in Sweida. “We are actively engaged with all Syrian stakeholders to encourage a sustainable de-escalation,” Barrack wrote on X, referring specifically to the Druze community, local Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government, and Israeli forces.
According to Al-Hadath, Barrack also pointed to poor coordination and communication between the various factions as the main obstacles to lasting stability. He stressed that the U.S. remains committed to holding constructive discussions with all parties involved.
On the ground, the predominantly Druze city of Sweida has witnessed a surge in violence in recent days. Armed confrontations broke out on Sunday between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribal militias, leaving dozens dead or injured. In response, the Syrian government dispatched reinforcements on Tuesday and declared a ceasefire, reportedly reached through negotiations with local Druze leaders. Syrian army forces then entered the city, which had previously been controlled by local Druze factions.
Amid this fragile calm, several Druze religious leaders have issued public appeals urging militants to lay down their arms and avoid direct conflict with government forces.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued to justify its strikes on Syrian military positions, citing a need to protect the Druze population. “These strikes are a clear message: we will not allow any harm to come to the Druze in Syria,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on X.
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