{"id":40113,"date":"2026-03-20T11:54:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T15:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/israel-launches-airstrikes-on-syrian-military-following-attacks-on-druze-community\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T11:54:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T15:54:03","slug":"israel-launches-airstrikes-on-syrian-military-following-attacks-on-druze-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/israel-launches-airstrikes-on-syrian-military-following-attacks-on-druze-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel Launches Airstrikes on Syrian Military Following Attacks on Druze Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"189\" height=\"54\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774022043582.jpg?resize=189%2C54&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40112\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Israeli military forces launched airstrikes against Syrian government military installations following reports of attacks on the Druze minority community in southern Syria&#8217;s As-Suwayda region.<\/p><p>The Israeli Defense Forces targeted a military command facility and weapons stockpiles at Syrian regime military installations, responding to escalating violence against the Druze population in the area.<\/p><p>Reports from Druze media outlets indicate that Syrian internal security personnel also came under mortar fire, followed by the deployment of heavily armed units from the National Guard Druze paramilitary group throughout As-Suwayda.<\/p><p>The military action occurred as fresh worries emerged about the security of Druze populations in the area, where previous conflicts have escalated into significant violent confrontations.<\/p><p>Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel would not permit Syrian military forces to use the current conflict with Iran and Hezbollah as justification for attacking Druze communities.<\/p><p>Israel has historically maintained unofficial relationships with Syrian Druze populations, offering assistance and limited protection along border areas. Israeli Druze community leaders have consistently called for intervention when Syrian Druze face security threats.<\/p><p>During the previous summer, violent clashes broke out in the Druze-dominated As-Suwayda province following local disagreements and abductions involving Druze factions and Bedouin tribal groups that escalated into wider confrontations.<\/p><p>The conflict intensified when Syrian government troops and supporting militia forces moved into Druze territories, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including non-combatants, and causing significant destruction to residential areas and public infrastructure.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israeli forces targeted Syrian government military installations after reports emerged of violence against the Druze minority population in southern Syria. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israel would not permit Syrian forces to use the current regional conflict as justification for attacking Druze communities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":40112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[832],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774022043582.jpg?fit=189%2C54&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-aqZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":39859,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/israel-launches-strikes-on-syrian-military-sites-after-druze-civilian-attacks\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":0},"title":"Israel Launches Strikes on Syrian Military Sites After Druze Civilian Attacks","author":"Admin","date":"March 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israeli forces conducted overnight airstrikes against Syrian government military facilities following attacks on Druze civilians in the Sweida region. The Israeli military targeted command centers and weapons storage areas, vowing to protect the Druze community from further harm.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773991418528.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773991418528.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773991418528.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773991418528.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773991418528.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27729,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/syria-conducts-first-prisoner-swap-since-deadly-summer-violence-in-sweida\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":1},"title":"Syria Conducts First Prisoner Swap Since Deadly Summer Violence in Sweida","author":"Admin","date":"February 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Syrian authorities and Druze militia groups completed their initial prisoner exchange Thursday following violent sectarian clashes that erupted last summer. The swap involved 86 total prisoners and was overseen by the International Red Cross.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772101091886.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772101091886.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772101091886.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772101091886.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772101091886.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44163,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/un-reports-over-1700-deaths-in-syrian-province-violence\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":2},"title":"UN Reports Over 1,700 Deaths in Syrian Province Violence","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A United Nations investigation found that more than 1,700 people died during violent clashes in Syria's As-Suwayda province in July 2025. The week-long conflict between Druze communities and Bedouin groups also displaced nearly 155,000 people, with the humanitarian crisis still ongoing months later.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774810274696.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":72336,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/syrian-druze-leader-declares-independence-movement-irreversible\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":3},"title":"Syrian Druze Leader Declares Independence Movement &#8216;Irreversible&#8217;","author":"Admin","date":"May 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of Syria's Druze community in As-Suwayda province, announced that efforts to break away from Damascus are now unstoppable. The religious leader also controversially thanked Israel for supporting what he called 'the Druze cause.'","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779843154524.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27829,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/syria-prisoner-swap-marks-first-step-toward-peace-in-southern-province\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":4},"title":"Syria Prisoner Swap Marks First Step Toward Peace in Southern Province","author":"Admin","date":"February 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Syrian government troops and Druze militia forces completed a prisoner exchange Thursday, releasing 86 detainees captured during deadly summer fighting. The swap represents the first major breakthrough in U.S. and Jordan-led efforts to negotiate peace between the warring groups in Sweida province.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772112668680.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772112668680.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772112668680.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772112668680.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43270,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/un-demands-syria-probe-deadly-sectarian-violence-that-killed-1700\/","url_meta":{"origin":40113,"position":5},"title":"UN Demands Syria Probe Deadly Sectarian Violence That Killed 1,700","author":"Admin","date":"March 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A harsh United Nations report reveals Syria has failed to investigate violations by its own forces during last summer's sectarian violence that left at least 1,700 people dead, mostly from the Druze minority. The clashes in Sweida province displaced about 200,000 people and included systematic attacks on religious sites and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;World News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774607783149.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774607783149.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774607783149.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774607783149.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}