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The Israeli military has said it struck the entrance of the Syrian army’s headquarters in Damascus on Wednesday, citing the Assad regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria.

In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed: “The IDF struck the entrance of the Syrian regime's military headquarters in the area of Damascus in Syria.”

The military said it was continuing to monitor the situation. “The IDF continues to monitor developments and the regime's actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria,” the statement read.

It added that the strike had been carried out in line with orders from Israel’s political leadership. “In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is striking in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios,” the IDF said.

These Druze are a religious minority in that region which emerged in the 10th century as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Of the estimated one million Druze worldwide, more than half live in Syria, with significant communities in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights — a region Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and later annexed in 1981.

Clashes intensified in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on Wednesday after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups broke down, amid signs that Israel may increase its involvement in support of the Druze minority.

Syria’s defence ministry accused local militias in Sweida of breaking the truce that had been agreed on Tuesday, prompting the Syrian army to resume its operations in the Druze-majority region.

“Military forces continue to respond to the source of fire inside the city of Sweida, while adhering to rules of engagement to protect residents, prevent harm, and ensure the safe return of those who left the city back to their homes,” the ministry said in a statement.

The renewed fighting is happening months after a rebel offensive, led by Islamist insurgent groups, ousted President Bashar Assad in December, ending nearly 14 years of civil war.

The new leadership, made up mainly of Sunni Muslim factions, has since struggled to consolidate control across the country.