Suwayda, Syria — Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Syrian military positions in Suwayda and Daraa provinces early Tuesday, in what Damascus has condemned as an aggressive breach of sovereignty. The airstrikes, launched hours after the Syrian government declared a localized ceasefire in Suwayda, have intensified concerns that Tel Aviv is deliberately provoking unrest in southern Syria.
Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on military targets in Syria’s Suwayda and Daraa provinces early Tuesday, in a move widely condemned by Syrian state media as a violation of sovereignty. The strikes occurred hours after Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared a local ceasefire in Suwayda, where government forces had begun withdrawing and transferring responsibilities to police units.
The ceasefire, brokered by Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra in consultation with local leaders, had only just taken effect when the Israeli missiles struck. The Ministry of Defense had announced a reduction in heavy weapons presence, aimed at stabilizing the situation after days of unrest.
According to Anadolu News, the airstrikes were not limited to Suwayda. Israeli jets also hit targets in Daraa province, further broadening the scope of the attack and alarming regional observers.
A military statement said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the operations, claiming they were meant to disrupt Syrian military convoys.
Early Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared a full ceasefire in Suwayda following talks with local community leaders.
The Middle East Monitor noted Israeli airstrikes extended into Daraa province, further heightening regional concerns. Israeli media claimed the operation targeted a Syrian tank, though Syrian authorities denied any military escalation from their side.
Syrian officials denounce calculated provocation
Syrian state media and defense officials condemned the Israeli airstrikes as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and a provocation aimed at derailing local stability. While no formal statement from the Syrian Foreign Ministry was published at the time of reporting, government-linked outlets emphasized that the attack came just as a ceasefire agreement was taking hold in Suwayda.
The Syrian military had begun withdrawing armored units and handing over security to internal police forces when the Israeli strikes hit positions in both Suwayda and Daraa. The targeted sites were reportedly used by the Syrian Arab Army to monitor and manage regional unrest, particularly following recent clashes between tribal and local factions.
Coverage by Tasnim News reinforced this assessment, noting that the Israeli airstrikes directly targeted infrastructure and military routes tied to Syrian efforts to restore calm. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the timing of the strikes appeared intended to undermine the reconciliation process, rather than address any active security threat to Israel.
Iranian reactions highlight geopolitical stakes
Iran condemned the Israeli airstrikes as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and an escalation that risks further destabilizing the region. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the attacks as “aggressive” and affirmed Tehran’s continued support for Syria’s territorial integrity.
As of Tuesday evening, neither the United States nor the European Union had issued a public response to the strikes. The absence of Western reaction reflects an ongoing pattern of silence surrounding Israeli military actions in Syria, drawing criticism from regional observers who argue it enables continued impunity.
Suwayda’s fragile calm shattered
Suwayda has historically remained one of Syria’s more stable provinces during the civil war, largely due to its Druze population’s neutrality and semi-autonomous local governance. However, recent tribal violence in the region led to at least 30 fatalities and dozens more wounded, prompting high-level mediation by the Syrian government.
While Syrian authorities were working toward reconciliation, the Israeli attack disrupted de-escalation efforts. Syrian security units had begun implementing ceasefire protocols, pulling back troops, dismantling checkpoints, and restoring civilian control, when the airstrikes hit.
According to Anadolu Agency, these Israeli raids pose a threat to any long-term peace plan in southern Syria, especially in areas recently emerging from tribal conflict. On Monday, over 30 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in violent clashes between Bedouin tribal militants and Druze militias in southern Syria, according to a statement from the Syrian Interior Ministry.
The Israeli airstrikes on Suwayda and Daraa mark yet another chapter in Tel Aviv’s aggressive campaign of military interference across sovereign Arab nations. The timing of the attack, executed just hours after a Syrian ceasefire had been negotiated, strongly suggests a strategic intent to sabotage reconciliation, rather than any legitimate defense requirement.
With continued Western silence, Israel faces little diplomatic consequence for what regional powers increasingly describe as state-sponsored militarism. But each strike, analysts warn, further erodes the fragile pathways to peace and reconstruction in a war-torn Syria.
