UPDATE - Syria condemns Israeli strike near presidential palace in Damascus as 'dangerous escalation'

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Murat Basoglu, Ikram Kouachi and Ahmed Asmar

ISTANBUL / Syria on Friday strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area near the presidential palace in the capital Damascus as a "dangerous escalation" and a direct assault on the country’s sovereignty and state institutions.

“The Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic strongly condemns the bombing that targeted the presidential palace area by the Israeli occupation (forces), which constitutes a serious escalation against the institutions of the state and its sovereignty,” the presidency said in a statement.

It called on the international community and Arab nations to “unify their stance and fully support Syria against these assaults in a manner that ensures the protection of Arab nations’ rights in confronting Israeli aggression.”

Syria emphasized that such attacks aimed at undermining its unity and territorial integrity “would not break the resolve of the Syrian people or halt the government's efforts toward stability and peace.”

Damascus also warned that the strike reflects “reckless moves aimed at deepening the country’s security crises and destabilizing national unity.”

Earlier on Friday, Israeli officials said the strike served as a "warning message" to Syria’s leadership.

Contrary to the position of the Syrian Druze community in condemning Israeli violations against Syria, Muafak Tarif, a prominent leader of the Druze community in Israel, hailed the Israeli airstrike near the Syrian presidential palace, alleging it is part of protecting the Druze in Syria.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Tarif said Israel's attacks in Syria "sent a deterrent message to the Syrian regime regarding Israel's commitment to the Druze community in Syria," according to a statement by Netanyahu's office.

Israel’s Druze population is estimated at 150,000, and most of the people hold Israeli citizenship and serve in the military, unlike the 23,000 Druze in Syria’s Golan Heights, who largely reject Israeli citizenship and identify themselves as Syrian nationals.

The Syrian government has repeatedly accused Israel of exploiting sectarian groups, including the Druze minority, to justify intervention in the country’s internal affairs.

Damascus maintains that all Syrians, regardless of sect, enjoy equal rights under the Constitution.

Israel has intensified its aerial attacks on Syria in recent months, often citing threats from Iranian-linked groups operating in the country.