Antonio Guterres slams attacks on Suweida, Daraa, and Damascus as Israel pressures Syria over Druze protection
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned Israel’s escalating air campaign in Syria, including strikes on Suweida, Daraa, and the heart of Damascus.
In a statement released Wednesday by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres expressed grave concern over the Israeli military’s actions, calling them a dangerous escalation amid rising regional instability.
“The Secretary-General further condemns Israel’s escalatory airstrikes on Suweida, Daraa, and in the center of Damascus, as well as reports of the IDF’s redeployment of forces in the Golan,” the statement said.
The strikes come as Israel intensifies pressure on Damascus to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria, following deadly clashes involving Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in the Suweida region. The airstrikes are part of a broader campaign launched by Israel in response to what it calls threats to Druze communities, many of whom have familial and cultural ties to Israeli Druze populations.
The UN condemnation adds to growing international concern over Israel’s expanded military footprint in Syria and its potential to further destabilize the already volatile region.