Israel attacked Syrian government forces near Damascus in what is says is a bid to protect a religious minority there. Clashes between Druze and Sunni Muslim fighters have killed at least 20 people.
Israel’s air force struck near Syria’s presidential palace early Friday, hours after warning Syrian authorities not to march toward Druze villages in the south.
The strike came after days of clashes between pro-Syrian government gunmen and fighters who belong to the Druze minority sect near the capital, Damascus. The clashes left dozens of people dead or wounded.
Israel's military said Friday it launched air strikes near the presidential palace in Damascus after the country's defence minister threatened intervention if Syrian authorities failed to protect the Druze minority.
Israel attacked a target near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, reiterating his vow to protect members of the Druze community.
Israel launched more than 20 air strikes inside Syria late Friday, a war monitor said, following up an attack near the presidential palace in Damascus which was condemned as a "dangerous escalation" by the country's Islamist rulers.
