Israel Launches Largest Airstrikes on Syria Since Assad's Fall

Israel carried out its largest airstrikes on Syrian territory since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government late Friday night, nearly 18 hours after Israel launched strikes near the presidential palace in Damascus in what Israel said was a warning to President Ahmed al-Sharaa in regard to the fighting between the Syrian government and Syria’s Druze population in the south.

The Israeli military targeted a wide range of sites across multiple provinces, including Damascus, Hama, Idlib, Daraa, and Latakia. In Daraa Province—home to a significant Druze population—airstrikes were reportedly more concentrated, coinciding with ongoing clashes between Druze factions and Syrian government forces.

In February, Israel issued a direct warning to Syrian authorities demanding the demilitarization of the Daraa, Quneitra, and Suwayda provinces. The same warning included a threat to retaliate if President al-Sharaa’s forces engaged the Druze population—threats that now appear to be materializing amid the recent flare-up in violence.

On Friday evening, videos circulated on social media showing what appeared to be Israeli soldiers distributing weapons and ammunition to local Druze groups inside Syria’s Suwayda Province. Unconfirmed reports indicated Israeli military helicopters had landed in the area, suggesting a coordinated effort to bolster Druze forces.

During the course of the airstrikes, Turkish air force jets reportedly entered Syrian airspace and engaged in a standoff with Israeli aircraft. While no engagement was reported, the incident reflects the increasingly crowded and volatile skies over Syria. Separately, Russian warplanes stationed at the Khmeimim Airbase on the Syrian coast were also scrambled.

Following Assad’s ouster in December, Israel launched a series of air raids that effectively dismantled Syria’s military capabilities, including its air defense systems and air force infrastructure. With Syria now largely defenseless against Israeli airpower, the latest round of attacks underscores Israel’s ability to operate unimpeded across Syrian territory.