Israel launches heavy airstrikes in Damascus, vowing to protect Druze

The attacks marked a major Israeli escalation against interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Islamist-led administration, despite his improving ties with the US and growing security contacts with Israel.

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defence ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw.