Israeli bombing of Syrian military bases, Katz threatens escalation

Two civilians were injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting central Damascus on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Syrian Al-Ikhbariya channel. Meanwhile, an Israeli security source announced that the army raided the entrance to the General Staff headquarters, in a message to President Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding the events in Sweida, in the south of the country, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement that the bombing targeted "a target close to the general command in Damascus, and the strikes will continue to escalate unless the message is understood." He added, "We have been carrying out escalating strikes for the past 24 hours, targeting regime sites in Sweida."

Katz continued that the pace of strikes in Syria will increase if Damascus does not get the message, adding that southern Syria will be a demilitarized zone.

In previous statements, Katz called on the Syrian government to withdraw its forces from Sweida, saying, "The Syrian regime must leave the Druze in Sweida and withdraw its forces."

Forces from the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior entered the city of Sweida last Monday in an attempt to assert control over the volatile neighborhoods, maintain security, and restore stability.

The Israeli Air Force bombed Syrian government targets in As-Suwayda Governorate today, coinciding with renewed clashes in the city between Syrian security forces and armed groups.

Events erupted in Sweida following armed clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups in the city's neighborhoods a few days ago, resulting in deaths and injuries. Following the clashes, Syrian army and Interior Ministry forces entered the city in an effort to restore security.

Source: Al Jazeera + Al Jazeera + Agencies