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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday condemned Israeli airstrikes on Damascus that targeted military and government sites, calling them a "blatant violation" of national sovereignty and accusing Israel of attempting to destabilize the country amid rising regional tensions.
In a nationally broadcast address, Sharaa said six people were killed and 28 wounded in the strikes, which hit the General Staff headquarters and the vicinity of the presidential complex.
He vowed that Syria would defend "every inch" of its territory and warned foreign states against exploiting internal unrest.
"Syria will not be a battleground for foreign agendas," Sharaa said. "Our people have fought for their freedom, and they stand ready to resist any force that threatens their dignity and independence." The strikes came days after clashes in the southern province of Sweida between armed factions and government forces.
Damascus accuses Israel of using the unrest as a pretext to expand its military campaign inside Syrian territory.
Sharaa claimed Israel aims to "sow discord among Syrians and fuel sectarian divisions," particularly among the Druze population in Sweida. He described recent Israeli rhetoric about “protecting the Druze” as a cover for interference.
"Since the fall of the old regional order, Israel has consistently sought to undermine Syria's unity and push the region toward chaos," he said.
The president noted that mediation efforts by the United States and Türkiye had prevented the Sweida crisis from escalating into a broader conflict. "Without their diplomatic intervention, we would be facing a much more dangerous confrontation today," he said.
Despite the Israeli strikes, Sharaa maintained that Syrian forces had succeeded in restoring relative calm in Sweida. He blamed "militant groups refusing dialogue" for prolonging the violence.
The United States condemned violence against civilians in Sweida. In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barrack urged “all parties to de-escalate and seek a path to a lasting cease-fire.”
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Druze fighters "not to cross the line," while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that operations would continue if needed to "protect civilians."
Sharaa concluded with an appeal to national unity: “We were born of this land. We do not seek war, but we will not allow our peace and dignity to be stolen. Syria will stand firm against all attempts to divide it.”
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