‘Dangerous Escalation’: Syria, UN Chief Slam Israeli Airstrike Near Presidential Palace In Damascus

<p data-pm-slice=”0 0 []”>The Israeli air force on Friday struck near Syria’s presidential palace after warning the authorities not to march toward villages inhabited by members of a minority sect in southern Syria. According to France24, the strike came after days of clashes between the pro-Syrian government gunmen and the fighters who belong to the Druze minority sect near Damascus.</p>
<p>According to the report, Syria’s presidency condemned the Israeli airstrike and called it a &ldquo;dangerous escalation against state institutions and the sovereignty of the state.&rdquo; It also called on the international community to stand by Syria, saying that such attacks &ldquo;target Syria national security and the unity of the Syrian people&rdquo;.</p>
<p>The attack on Friday was the second such attack on Syria this week. On Thursday, Syria’s Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri criticised the Syrian government for what he called an &ldquo;unjustified genocidal attack&rdquo; on the minority community.</p>
<p>According to news agency AFP, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned &nbsp;Israeli airstrike. He called the attack a violation of Syria&rsquo;s sovereignty.</p>
<p>Early Friday, the Druze religious leadership called that the community is part of Syria and refuses to break away from the country and added that the role of the state should be activated in the southern province of Sweida, reports France24.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We confirm our commitment to a country that includes all Syrians, a nation that is free of strife,&rdquo; the statement said.</p>
<p>According to France 24, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the strike was &ldquo;a clear message&rdquo; to Syrian leaders.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community,” the joint statement said.</p>