Israeli Strikes in Syria Deepen Regional Crisis

In mid-July 2025, the Middle East once again faced a wave of bombardments, destabilizing the region. Israel’s wide-ranging strikes on southern Syria not only disrupted the regional security balance but also dislodged fragile international diplomatic relations. In geopolitically important cities like Suwayda and Daraa, the Israeli bombardments were closely monitored by the Turkish and U.S. governments. The Netanyahu government attempted to justify its actions by claiming they were aimed at "nullifying destabilizing factors," while the Syrian government declared a state of emergency and called for international support to prevent further escalation. This new front in southern Syria once again exposed the fragile structure of the Middle East and created multifaceted and profound effects among regional powers, international actors, and civilians on the ground.

According to local Syrian sources, the crisis began on July 11 with the circulation of a voice recording in which a Druze sheikh allegedly insulted Prophet Muhammad. Druze sources, however, denied this, stating that the violence began due to the robbery of a citizen. A violent conflict soon erupted between the Syrian Transitional Government and Druze groups.

Armed clashes escalated suddenly when a Druze merchant was abducted by Syrian forces on the Damascus-Suwayda road. This was followed by the detention of many local Druze by Syrian security forces. The Syrian Transitional Government forces reportedly attacked neighborhoods, causing widespread casualties.

Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri demanded international protection. On July 14, Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian army tanks near Suwayda. Despite a ceasefire on the 15th, combat continued, with al-Hijri accusing the government of violating the truce. On July 16, Israel launched a full-scale strike against the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Damascus.

On the same day, the Syrian government announced an investigation into human rights violations in Suwayda, but al-Hijri refused reconciliation. By July 17, the death toll had risen to 516, amid reports of forced displacement and retaliatory attacks on Bedouin civilians. Despite a renewed ceasefire signed on the 19th, combat persisted, leading to Bedouin retreats and the closure of the Jordanian border.

Armed drone attacks continued from July 20 to 21, while Bedouin civilians were evacuated from Druze areas. A period of relative calm followed on July 22 and 23, during which prisoner and body exchanges took place, along with plans for administrative restructuring. On July 25, Druze factions declared autonomy, marking the beginning of a new and uncertain chapter for the region.

According to a Reuters report, the Israeli airstrikes were strongly condemned by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which described them as acts of "state terrorism" and a "blatant violation of international law." The ministry also accused Israel of attempting to alter the ethnic composition of the southern governorates of Suwayda and Daraa.

In another statement issued on the same day, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the opening of an internal investigation into alleged human rights abuses and emphasized a policy of "zero tolerance" for such violations, regardless of the perpetrators.

Conversely, Israeli leadership justified the strikes as necessary security operations. According to The Washington Post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military actions as essential to safeguarding the Druze population of southern Syria and ending what he called the Syrian regime's "support for terrorism." The Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who, in a statement issued on behalf of the Defense Ministry, declared that Israeli troops were prepared to maintain an open-ended military deployment in southern Syria. Gallant stated that the deployment was not only legitimate but also vital to ensuring Israel's national security amid growing threats from across the border.

According to PBS, Thomas Barrack, the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, stated that "strong nation-states, and particularly centralized Arab regimes, are perceived as threats to Israel's security." He explained that, in Israel's view, a country like Syria poses less of a threat if it is fragmented or governed by weaker local authorities. Barrack also suggested that a confederated or decentralized Syria might be less problematic for Israel than a fully restored and unified Syrian state.

In a second Reuters report released the same day, Barrack warned that unless Syria's current government becomes more inclusive of different groups and geographic areas, the country risks fragmentation or internal collapse. He clarified that the U.S. does not formally endorse the Israeli airstrikes but recognizes that Israel is responding to threats from powerful adversarial governments. He emphasized that the political structure Syria chooses, whether federal, centralized, or otherwise, should be determined by Syrians themselves. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the outcome would be characterized by "stability, fairness, and inclusion."

These remarks raised concerns in Türkiye. In an article published by TRT World on July 23, 2025, Turkish officials and analysts warned that supporting decentralization in Syria could encourage ethnic or sectarian groups to seek autonomy. They argued that this development could undermine national unity not only in Syria but also in other multicultural nations like Turkey.

The same concern was echoed in a research article published on July 24, 2025, by the Turkish think tank SETA. The article argued that external support for decentralization in conflict zones weakens national governments and makes it easier for militias or non-state actors to seize control. It added that while federalism is not inherently problematic, its imposition from outside can lead to new complications, especially in regions prone to conflict.