Explosions Hit Eastern Syria as Israel Deploys Troops to South, Citing Protection of Druze Minority

Syrian media reported that four powerful explosions rocked the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor province amid intense activity by unidentified Warplanes. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that its forces are deployed in southern Syria, declaring readiness to "protect the Druze minority" in the wake of recent sectarian clashes.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Israeli army said its units were stationed in southern Syria and prepared to prevent any "hostile forces" from entering Druze villages. However, the statement did not clarify whether this deployment was recent, nor did it disclose the number of troops involved.

On Friday, the Israeli military said it had launched airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes followed a warning by Israeli Defense Minister who had threatened intervention if Syrian authorities failed to safeguard the Druze population.

The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community strongly condemned what he described as a “campaign of genocide” against the minority group. The recent sectarian violence reportedly left 102 people dead.

In response, Israeli authorities claimed they had targeted hundreds of Syrian military positions. A military statement on Friday confirmed that fighter jets had bombed areas near the presidential complex in Damascus.

The situation remains tense as regional powers ramp up military operations and rhetoric amid growing fears of broader escalation in the war-torn country.