The Israeli military on Wednesday struck the Syrian regime’s General Staff headquarters in Damascus, following warnings from Tel Aviv that it would escalate operations in defense of Syria’s Druze minority amid ongoing violence in Suwayda province.

At least 200 people have reportedly been killed since fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in Suweida on Sunday.

A similar incident occurred exactly a month ago when the Israeli Air Force bombed the offices of Iranian state broadcaster IRIB in the capital city of Tehran on June 16

An airstrike on the Syrian Ministry of Defense was captured live on Syria TV, forcing the anchor to take cover. Israel has been carrying out airstrikes on Syria as part of its commitment to protect the Druze,

SWEIDA (Reuters) -A leading Druze spiritual leader accused the Syrian leadership in Damascus of bombarding the southern city of Sweida despite having reached an agreement to quell violence, and he called on fighters to confront Syrian troops entering the city.

Syrian forces had deployed in the southern city of Sweida, despite Israeli warnings, trying to contain clashes between members of the Druze minority and Bedouin.