Attack on Military Targets Near Presidential Palace

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on military facilities near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria's capital, on the 16th. The Israel Defense Forces stated they "struck military targets in the presidential palace area," while eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke rising from the scene.

According to Syrian state media, a military headquarters in central Damascus was also hit, resulting in the destruction of a four-story building. The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that at least one person was killed and 18 were injured in the day's airstrikes.

Concentrated Strikes on Southern Sweida Region

Israeli airstrikes have been concentrated on the Sweida region in southern Syria. On the 16th, Syria's state news agency SANA reported Israeli drone strikes on Sweida city, and the Israeli military confirmed it had bombed "government military vehicles in Sweida" the previous day.

On the 15th, several Syrian government tanks deployed near Sweida city became targets of Israeli airstrikes. This area is home to the largest Druze population in Syria. The Druze, a minority sect derived from Islam, are distributed across Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

Warning: "No Military Deployment Near Border"

Israel, which is technically in a state of war with Syria, has intensified airstrikes since forces of Ahmad al-Sharaa's government were deployed to Sweida on the 15th. Israeli authorities warned that they "will not allow military forces to be stationed in southern Syria near the border" and threatened to "further intensify airstrikes if Syrian forces do not withdraw from the south."

While Israel officially stated this is a measure to protect the Druze minority involved in bloody clashes in the Sweida region, the direct military intervention in Syrian territory is heightening regional tensions.

According to multiple foreign media reports, the death toll from these clashes has exceeded 300.