Israeli Drone Strikes Target HTS Forces Amid Sectarian Clashes Near Damascus
On April 30, 2025, violent clashes erupted in and around Damascus, Syria, as forces affiliated with the transitional government, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), engaged in confrontations with Druze militants in the Ashrafieh Sahnaya neighborhood. The violence has reportedly resulted in civilian casualties and raised concerns about potential mass killings.
In response to the escalating conflict, Israel announced that it had conducted multiple drone strikes targeting HTS militants in Sahnaya. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were aimed at extremists allegedly preparing attacks on the Druze community, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to protecting Druze populations with historic and religious ties to Israel and Lebanon . 
These operations mark a significant development, as they represent Israel’s first direct military engagement against HTS forces since the group’s rise to power following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 . The Israeli military has intensified its presence in southern Syria, aiming to establish a demilitarized buffer zone to prevent hostile forces from threatening its borders .
The situation remains volatile, with reports of General Security forces firing live ammunition at civilian homes in Ashrafieh Sahnaya, further endangering non-combatants. Local and international observers are calling for immediate restraint to prevent further civilian casualties and to de-escalate the conflict.
