The United States has confirmed that "specific steps" have been agreed upon to end the ongoing violence in Syria following a wave of Israeli airstrikes on the capital, Damascus.
🛑 What Happened
In a dramatic escalation on Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes targeted key government sites in central Damascus, including:
- The presidential palace area
- The headquarters of Syria’s defense ministry
According to eyewitness accounts, the strikes caused severe damage, and chaos erupted in the streets. Filmmaker Fadi told the BBC:
“Everyone started running in the street.”
📊 Casualties and Reactions
- Syria’s health ministry confirmed 3 people were killed and 34 injured in the strikes.
- Israel claims the operation was aimed at protecting the Druze minority in Syria.
- Turkey, however, criticized the strikes, calling them an attempt to derail a rare chance for peace and stability in the region.
🔥 Background: Rising Sectarian Violence
The Israeli airstrikes come after several days of intense sectarian violence in Suweida, a southern region home to many Druze.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that over 300 people have been killed in southern Syria since Sunday.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the Syrian army has begun withdrawing from Suweida amid allegations of involvement in the killings.
🕊 U.S. Steps In
Following the strikes and regional tension, the U.S. State Department announced that "all parties involved" have agreed to steps aimed at ending the violence immediately.
While Syria has welcomed the move, Israel has not yet commented on the reported agreement.
🗣 Syria Condemns the Strikes
Syria's government called the attacks on Damascus a "flagrant assault" and accused Israel of trying to "inflame regional tensions".
Israeli officials maintain the strikes were intended to prevent further violence against minority communities, but analysts say political motives may also be at play.
🧭 Summary at a Glance:
| Key Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Israeli Strikes | Targeted Damascus presidential and military buildings |
| Casualties | 3 killed, 34 injured (Syrian officials) |
| U.S. Involvement | Announced agreed steps to end violence |
| Syria's Reaction | Condemns the strikes, calls them a provocation |
| Israel's Claim | Says it acted to protect Druze minority |
| Turkey's View | Says strikes harm regional peace talks |
📌 Stay Tuned
Follow Trendy Today 360 for updates on international conflict, diplomacy, and developments affecting peace in the Middle East.