Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus on Tuesday, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The strikes follow Israel’s warning that it would intensify attacks in Syria unless government forces withdraw from southern regions, including Sweida, where deadly clashes erupted between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes.
The IDF, which has repeatedly vowed to protect the Druze community, said it also carried out airstrikes near the presidential palace.
In a post on X, the IDF said it continues to monitor developments and the “regime’s actions” against Druze in southern Syria. “In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is conducting strikes and remains prepared for various scenarios in Syria,” the military said.
צה”ל ממשיך לתקוף מטרות צבאיות של המשטר הסורי בדמשק
צה״ל תקף לפני זמן קצר את קריית המטה הכללי של המשטר הסורי במרחב דמשק שבסוריה.
מקריית המטה הכללי בדמשק מפקדי המשטר הסורי מנהלים את הלחימה ושולחים את כוחות המשטר למרחב א-סווידא׳.
בנוסף, הותקפה מטרה צבאית במרחב ארמון הנשיאות של… pic.twitter.com/58iEQDzJRV
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 16, 2025
Several videos circulating on social media captured the moment of the attack. One clip shows a Syrian news anchor reporting live when a massive explosion illuminated the background. The blast forced the anchor to take cover.
The moment Israel struck Syria’s Ministry of Defence and General Staff Headquarters.
An Israeli airstrike hit Damascus while a news anchor was live on-air. The explosion visible in the background shook the scene, forcing her to take cover mid-broadcast#Syria #Damascus #Israel… pic.twitter.com/QK9pRW4fkx
— Neha Khanna (@nehakhanna_07) July 16, 2025
Israel begins bombing Syria
See footage of them bombing Syria’s Ministry of Defense headquarters
They launched multiple airstrikes targeting the Syrian Presidential Palace & Umayyad square in Damascus
—
Jolani gave them everything they asked for. And this is what he gets pic.twitter.com/ht5cg3I2EZ— Armchair Analyst (@ArmchairAn4lyst) July 16, 2025
Syrian state news agency SANA, citing the Ministry of Health, reported that at least three people were killed and 34 others were wounded in the strikes.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 350 individuals have been killed since Sunday. The casualties include 79 Druze fighters, 55 civilians, 189 government personnel, and 18 Bedouin fighters.
Syria announced Wednesday night that it had begun withdrawing its forces from the Druze-majority city of Sweida after agreeing to a new ceasefire that it claims will bring a complete halt to military operations in the area.
The Syrian army “has begun withdrawing from the city of Sweida in implementation of the terms of the adopted agreement after the end of the sweep of the city for outlaw groups,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. However, the statement made no mention of whether other government security forces deployed in the city would also withdraw.
The announcement came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the parties involved in the sectarian conflict had agreed on “specific steps” toward a ceasefire.
