The IDF attacked Syrian government infrastructure in southern Syria on Thursday night, in response to attacks on Druze civilians, the military announced on Friday.
Targets hit during the attack included a command center and weapons in military bases belonging to the Syrian regime.
Local Druze media on Thursday reported that Syrian internal security forces were targeted with mortar shells, following which heavily armed groups from the National Guard Druze paramilitary group were seen moving in the Sweida area.
"The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them," the spokesperson stated.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will not allow the Syrian government to take advantage of the ongoing war against Iran and Hezbollah in order to harm its Druze population. "If it's needed - we'll attack with more force," he said.
Syrian minorities face human rights violations, report finds
Since Syria’s new government seized power from Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, minorities have faced abductions, sexual violence, and arbitrary detentions, according to an independent international commission of inquiry report published last week by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The commission further found that although there are continued human rights violations, the new Syrian authorities have taken measures of accountability through the creation of national investigative committees.
Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report.