DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: Smoke rises in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes come amid an escalation in conflict between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, or Suwayda. Israel has previously vowed to protect the Druze in Syria, due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel, and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. (Photo by Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images)
غارة إسرائيلية استهدفت مبنى أركان الجيش السوري بدمشق أثناء أحداث السويداء في يوليو/ تموز 2025 (غيتي إيميجز)