Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation Print subscriptions Search jobs Europe edition Australia edition International edition The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian Show moreHide expanded menu View all News Climate crisis Environment Global development View all Opinion The Guardian view Opinion videos View all Sport Rugby union View all Culture Art & design View all Lifestyle Health & fitness Home & garden Search input google-search Print subscriptions Search jobs Digital Archive Guardian Licensing The Guardian app Newsletters Today's paper Inside the Guardian Guardian Weekly Corrections Search input google-search Search jobs Digital Archive Guardian Licensing Middle East Global development Israel launches strikes on Damascus as sectarian violence flares in southern Syria – video Missile strikes collapsed four floors of the Syrian defence ministry on Umayyad Square in Damascus on Wednesday. State media said at least two officers had been wounded. The attack came after Syrian security forces were sent to Suweida, southern Syria to quell four days of fighting between Druze and Bedouin armed groups. The Israeli foreign minister said Israel's interest was 'to prevent harm to the Druze community' Israel strikes Syria’s defence ministry in third day of attacks Israel launches bombing raids in Syria and Lebanon Source: ReutersWed 16 Jul 2025 18.55 CESTLast modified on Wed 16 Jul 2025 20.49 CEST Explore more on these topics Middle East and north Africa Most viewed Most viewed Middle East Global development Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morningSign up for our email Complaints & corrections Work for us Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms & conditions All writers Digital newspaper archive Tax strategy Newsletters Advertise with us Search UK jobs Back to top © 2025 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (dcr)