Israeli Flag Raised Then Burned in Southern Syria: Reports

An Israeli flag was briefly raised and later burned by Druze residents in Suwayda, southern Syria, amid ongoing tensions between Syria's new rulers and the Druze minority, according to reports.

The Jerusalem Post reported that a video showed the Israeli flag being burned shortly after it appeared in Suwayda, a Druze-majority region. This comes as clashes between Syrian security forces and Druze gunmen left one person dead and nine injured near Damascus on March 1, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The clashes erupted in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus with large Druze and Christian populations, following a dispute on February 28 that resulted in the death of a security officer at a checkpoint. Syrian authorities said the violence began after Ministry of Defense personnel were stopped and fired upon.

The Druze community in Jaramana issued a statement pledging to hand over those responsible to authorities.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Syria's new rulers against harming the Druze and stated that the Israeli military is prepared to act if necessary.

The Israeli defense ministry also confirmed military preparations to defend a Druze settlement near Damascus, citing concerns over alleged attacks by Syrian forces. This follows recent Israeli deployments in a buffer zone and on Mount Hermon, close to the Syrian border.

Syria’s new government, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, faces ongoing challenges in restoring stability after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. HTS, formerly linked to al Qaeda, has promised to protect Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including the Druze, who make up about three percent of Syria’s population.

Israel has warned Syria’s leadership against advancing into areas south of Damascus, raising concerns of further military action if tensions escalate.