Damascus: Israel has conducted a new series of attacks on Syria, specifically targeting the entrance to the military headquarters in the capital city of Damascus, as reported by various news outlets. The attacks have escalated tensions in the region, further complicating the already volatile situation.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Israeli missiles, reportedly fired from a drone, also hit areas near the presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday. An Al Jazeera correspondent noted that there were two separate drone attacks on the Syrian Ministry of Defense headquarters-one at the entrance and another at the back of the building.

Israeli Minister of Military Affairs, Israel Katz, confirmed the attacks, with Israeli media describing them as a direct message to Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. These strikes followed Katz’s warning to Syria regarding the withdrawal of its troops from Suwayda, a city experiencing clashes between regime forces and Druze fighters.

Israel has stated that its military actions aim to support Syria’s Druze minority, which Tel Aviv considers as a potential ally amidst the ongoing conflict. Katz reiterated that Israel will not abandon the Syrian Druze and intends to enforce a disarmament policy to protect them.

Israeli military sources revealed that two additional battalions have been deployed to the border between the occupied territories and Syria. This move comes as fierce fighting resumed in Suwayda earlier on Wednesday, despite a ceasefire announcement by the Jolani regime the previous night. Defense Ministry officials attributed the breach of the ceasefire to “outlawed groups.”

The Syrian Ministry of Defense has informed Al Jazeera about the establishment of safe corridors for civilians to escape the violence in Suwayda, which has resulted in 70 deaths and over 200 injuries. Since the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad, tensions have persisted between Syrian Druze and forces linked to Jolani, whose militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a significant offensive in December 2024 that toppled the Assad government.

The Israeli regime appears to be attempting to partition Syria by consistently targeting its military capabilities and providing support to ethnic minorities within the country.