INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
According to multiple news sources, Israel carried out several airstrikes in southern Syria between April 30 and May 3
after a fabricated audio clip allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad
Armed groups attacked Druze districts in Jaramana and Sahnaya, leaving at least 12 dead by April 29.The Druze are a distinct ethnoreligious
group primarily found in the Levant, including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan
of Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and other philosophical traditions
Fighting spread into Suwayda province where government forces and Druze fighters battled, pushing the death toll above 100 by May
3.Monitoring groups reported at least ten Druze civilians faced extrajudicial killings near Sahnaya by regime-affiliated forces
(Photo Internet reproduction)The transitional Syrian government formed in December includes only one Druze minister, stirring community
fears over representation
It demanded that Druze near Damascus surrender light weapons, but many refused, citing fear of extremist reprisals.Suwayda leaders reached
an accord granting community-led policing and activating local courts in exchange for a partial arms handover
The deal also imposed a ceasefire and reopened key supply routes between Suwayda and Damascus.The Israel Defense Forces launched warning
strikes near the presidential palace and multiple military installations to deter regime attacks on the Druze
IDF Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir ordered readiness to strike regime targets if violence against Druze persisted.Israel executed about
15 sorties across Damascus, Hama, and Daraa, killing two civilians and injuring at least eight more
The Israeli government publicly vowed to block any Syrian force deployment south of Damascus.The IDF also airdropped 1,500 boxes of
humanitarian aid to Suwayda villages and evacuated wounded Druze to Israeli hospitals
Two more reached northern Israel on May 2 and five more on May 3.Turkey condemned the strikes as violations of Syrian sovereignty and warned
against unilateral military actions in the region
Syrian authorities denounced Israeli air operations but focused on securing security deals with Druze leaders.The one-million-member Druze
community spans Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Palestinian territories, and a diaspora of about 160,000 worldwide
Lebanon, 150,000 in Israel, 20,000 in Jordan, and 11,000 in Palestinian areas
The Druze faith diverges from mainstream Islam and prohibits conversion or intermarriage outside the community.Investors and regional
traders watch these clashes closely as they threaten critical energy pipelines, road transport, and trade stability
Rising sectarian violence and foreign interventions increased risk perceptions across Middle Eastern markets and shipping corridors.This
conflict marks another risk layer for companies operating in the Levant, highlighting fragile security and potential disruptions to regional
