Muwafaq Mohammed

A bombing targeting a minibus in Jaramana, east of Damascus, wounded 14 people, three critically. The attack followed a statement by local Druze sheikhs and residents rejecting separatism, outside interference and sectarian discord. Activists attributed the timing and potential benefit of the bombing to Israel, while also identifying extremist groups—including the previously obscure Manbar Ansar al-Rasoul—as possible perpetrators. The attack occurred amid heightened tensions involving Syria, Israel and Türkiye, as well as discussions between Damascus and Hezbollah. Local figures urged Syrian authorities to assume full responsibility for security and prevent the bombing from undermining Jaramana’s model of coexistence.

Israel’s expanding incursions into southern Syria are occurring amid worsening tensions with Türkiye, whose leaders have warned that Israeli actions in Syria and Lebanon threaten Turkish security. Analysts Mohammed Sabra and Wael Alwan attribute the escalation to Israel’s efforts to keep southern Syria unstable, compete with Türkiye over regional energy and logistics routes, preserve separatist pressure in Sweida, and generate a security-focused narrative ahead of Israel’s October elections. They expect incursions and political rhetoric to continue, potentially intensify, but believe a direct Turkish-Israeli military clash remains unlikely because both countries are constrained by their relationships with NATO. The United States is pressing Israel to contain the situation, though analysts say that pressure has not stopped the attacks and provocations.

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri renewed calls for Sweida to pursue autonomy or potential alignment with another state, coinciding with commemorations of the 2025 clashes that left hundreds dead. Local opposition figures rejected the proposal, stressing continued loyalty to Syria and noting that neither Israel nor Jordan supports secession. Residents marked the anniversary amid widespread displacement and unresolved detentions. Al-Hijri’s meeting with National Guard affiliates reiterated his independence vision, while the Sweida Governorate emphasized collective grief. Some residents argued that government policies are eroding national identity despite broad attachment to Syrian and Arab identity.