Israeli Air Force launched a strike early on Friday with warnings to stop the Syrian government from attacking the country’s Druze minority.
Military intervention came as dozens of people were killed in a clash between government forces and the Druze militia near the capital Damascus.
The fight broke out earlier this week after audio clips were distributed on social media about a man criticizing Islamic prophet Mohammed.
The audio was attributed to the Druze clergy, but the new Syrian government led by former al-Qaeda affiliate Ahmed Al-Sharaa confirmed that the man was not involved.
Israel’s strike on Friday was the second state intervened in Syria this week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the move on Friday was a direct warning to Syrian authorities.
“This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. No danger withdrawal from the south of Damascus to the military or Druze community will be permitted,” they said in a joint statement.
Syrian media, affiliated with the province, reported that a strike had landed near the palace of people on a hill overlooking the capital.
After Israel attacked south of Damascus on Wednesday, the Syrian government hit what it called the country’s “foreign intervention.”
On Thursday, Syrian Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikumat al-Hijiri condemned the Syrian government’s actions against a minority population.
However, Druze’s religious leadership emphasized that their community is part of Syria.
“We acknowledge our commitment to a country that includes all Syrians, a country that is not in conflict,” they said in a statement.
Earlier this week, the UK-based Syrian Human Rights Observatory reported that 56 people, including local armed fighters and security forces, were killed in the Sanaya area and in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, with a suburb of Damascus, with a suburb of Dauze.
Druze is a religious minority whose faith was born as a branch of Shia Islam.
Of the roughly $1 million druzes around the world, more than half live in Syria, with many living in South Sweida and the outskirts of Damascus.
The important Druze community also lives in Lebanon and Israel, including Golan Heights. Israel was seized from Syria during the Middle East War in 1967 and formally annexed in 1981.
The Alshara government has pledged to protect religious minorities since ousting Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December.
However, the pledge was raised in question after hundreds of civilians from Al-Assad’s Alawite denomination were killed in western Syria in March.
