Israel attacks in Syria, warns Damascus over threats to Druze community

JERUSALEM, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel conducted an airstrike near Damascus on Wednesday, targeting what it described as a "radical group" preparing to attack a Druze community, according to Israeli officials.

Citing Israeli intelligence sources, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that a drone launched a missile at a structure near the Syrian capital, causing no casualties.

A joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strike as a "warning attack" carried out under Netanyahu and Katz's directive.

"A stern message was also delivered to the Syrian regime," the statement said. "Israel expects it to act to prevent harm to the Druze population."

The statement emphasized that the strike coincided with Israel's annual Memorial Day, when the country commemorates fallen soldiers, including many Druze who served in the Israeli military.

"Israel will not allow harm to come to the Druze in Syria, out of a profound obligation to our Druze brothers in Israel, who share historical and familial ties with the Druze in Syria."

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government.

The Israeli attack came a day after at least 14 people were killed in sectarian clashes in a predominantly Druze Jaramana suburb of Damascus between local gunmen and pro-government security forces. ■