Syria’s interim president says protection of Druze is a “priority”

“We refuse any attempt to drag you into the hands of external parties,” Sharaa said in his first televised statement to Druze Citizens.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting Druze’s citizens and their rights was “our priority” as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces that attacked Druze in southern Syria.

“We refuse any attempt to drag you into the hands of external parties,” Salah addressed Druze citizens in his first televised statement after a powerful Israeli air strike on Damascus on Wednesday.

“We are not those who are afraid of war. We face challenges throughout our lives and defend our people, but we put the interests of the Syrians before chaos and destruction,” he said.

He added that the Syrian people are not afraid of war and are ready to fight if threatened.

Israeli air strikes blew up part of Syria’s Ministry of Defense and attacked near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces that attacked Druze in southern Syria and demanded their withdrawal.

The attack marked a major escalation in Israel’s Islamic leadership government over Sarah. Despite keeping in touch with the United States and its administration’s growing security engagement with Israel, they come.

Israel describes the new rulers of Syria as jihadists with little disguise, which will not allow them to transfer their troops to southern Syria and vow to protect the Druze community in the region from attacks, encouraged by the call of Israel’s own Druze minority.

The United States said the battle will stop soon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media: “We have hired all parties involved in the Syrian conflict. We agree to the specific steps that will bring this troubled and frightening situation to an end tonight.”

Diplomats said the UN Security Council will meet on Thursday to resolve the conflict.

“The Council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed by innocent civilians in Syrian soil,” said Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations. “Israel will continue to firmly oppose any terrorist threatening its borders, at any time and at any time.”

Damascus fighter plane

Syrian Human Rights Network said 169 people have been killed in the violence this week. Security sources put Toll at 300. Reuters cannot independently verify the toll.

Reuters reporters heard the level of fighter jets in the capital Damascus fell and released a series of massive strikes on Wednesday afternoon. Smoke columns rose in the area near the Ministry of Defense. Part of the building was destroyed and rubble was scattered on the ground.

An Israeli military official said the entrance to the Damascus military headquarters was hit and among military targets near the presidential palace. The official said Syrian forces did not take action to prevent attacks on Druze and was part of the problem.

“We will not allow southern Syria to become a terrorist stronghold,” said Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir.

Faced with deep doubts from groups fearing Islamic rule, Sarah faces the challenge of sewing Syria together. In March, mass killings by members of the Alavian minority increased distrust.

Druze is a follower of the religion of the branch of Islam, spreading between Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

Dozens of Israeli druz broke into border fences on Wednesday and had connections with Druz on the Syrian side, Reuters witnesses said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military was working to save Druze and urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to return crossed civilians safely.

Israeli Drze Faez Shkeir said he was helplessly watching the violence in Syria.

He said: “My family is in Syria – my wife is in Syria, my uncle is from Syria, my family is in Syria, in Syria, in Svida, I don’t like to see them being killed. They kicked them out of the house, they robbed their house, but I did nothing.”