Reuters. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday (July 17) that protecting Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority," as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.
Sharaa was addressing Druze citizens in his first televised statement after powerful Israeli air strikes on Damascus on Wednesday (July 16).
“We are not among those who fear war. We are the ones who spent our lives facing challenges and defending our people,” he said.
Israel's airstrikes blew up part of Syria's defence ministry and hit near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw.
The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against Sharaa's Islamist-led administration. They came despite his warming ties with the U.S. and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel.
