-
Israel Steps Up Air Activity over As-Suwayda and Daraa, Warns Damascus against Targeting Druze
The Israeli newspaper *The Jerusalem Post* reported on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that Israel fears attacks on residents of As-Suwayda could resume at the hands of groups it says are acting on behalf of the Syrian authorities. The newspaper quoted a security source who spoke to the *Walla* website as saying that Israel is closely monitoring developments in the area.
According to the report, the Israeli Air Force stepped up its activity over As-Suwayda and Daraa over the past week, deploying attack helicopters, fighter jets, and drones. The source said the movements were intended as a warning to Damascus against targeting the Druze.
The source added that Israel is monitoring the situation around the clock and intends to continue assisting members of the Druze community in the face of possible attacks, which could include massacres and kidnappings.
The report said Damascus had told Israel that its actions were aimed at extending its sovereignty over all Syrian territory, not targeting civilians. The National Guard, however, refuses to place its forces under the command of the Syrian army.
The report also cited allegations circulated by Syrian media that Israel is supplying Druze factions in As-Suwayda with weapons, ammunition, money, and intelligence.
The warnings follow the deadly attacks in As-Suwayda in July 2025 and the widespread abuses against civilians that accompanied them. UN reports have said that some of those abuses may amount to crimes against humanity.
