On 2 May 2025, Israel conducted series of airstrikes against targets of Syria’s new government. While connected to the clashes between pro-government groups and the Syrian Druze forces, it is likely that a key objective of the Israeli strikes was prevention of the presence of the Syrian government forces in the three provinces of south Syria where previously Israel had declared a demilitarized zone, including the Druze-populated Suweida province.
The first Israeli strike on 2 May targeted an area near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus. After that, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the strike was a “clear message to the Syrian regime” that Israel would “not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus.”
Later on 2 May, however, the Syrian government began to deploy its security forces to the Suweida province on the basis of a deal made by them with some of the Druze, in the face of the opposition by other Druze groups.
Subsequently, late on 2 May, Israel conducted multiple airstrikes attacking government targets across Syria.
On 4 May, the Syrian government’s security forces withdrew from Suweida.
Efforts Category: Israel’s Military Force vs Syria (Quneitra, Deraa and Suweida provinces)
Modern Great Game Watch 