Part 10/13:
The Israeli air strikes in Damascus, especially near the presidential palace and defense ministry, reflect a strategic move to shield the Drews from what Israel perceives as extremist factions and regime aggressors. Israeli officials have vowed to continue operations until Syrian military presence in southern Syria diminishes.
Syria’s government condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty and blamed chaos on criminal elements rather than state actors. The Syrian regime, led now by a government heavily influenced by Islamist factions and former al-Qaeda affiliates, faces internal instability that complicates international efforts for stabilization.