Watan-In a provocative and escalatory statement, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli (Likud) has called for the assassination of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, labeling him “a terrorist and a brutal killer.”
Chikli’s remarks came in response to the Syrian military and security forces entering Sweida, a southern city with a large Druze population, to restore order following violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin armed groups since Sunday, which left dozens dead or injured.“If he looks like Hamas, talks like Hamas, and acts like Hamas—he is Hamas,” said Chikli, continuing:“We cannot remain idle in the face of an Islamo-Nazi terror regime dressed in suits. This man is a terrorist and it’s better to eliminate him now.”
Despite Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas, Chikli accused the Syrian government of committing atrocities against the Druze and called for action against what he referred to as a “terror regime in Syria.”
Damascus Responds and Airstrikes on Sweida
As of 15:30 GMT Tuesday, no official comment was issued by Damascus regarding Chikli’s threats. However, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani responded earlier Monday, stating:“The protection of the Druze community is a government responsibility, and no foreign party should interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. National sovereignty must be respected.”
Meanwhile, SANA, Syria’s state news agency, confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Sweida, though details were not provided.
The Israeli military issued a statement confirming attacks on Syrian army vehicles in Sweida, saying the strikes were carried out under the direct orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (later clarified to be Yisrael Katz).
Background: Why Sweida?
The situation in Sweida is complex. Syrian government forces began entering the city Tuesday morning, officially to restore security after intense intercommunal violence. But Israel has long justified its interventions in southern Syria, especially around Druze-majority areas, by claiming a duty to “protect the Druze”—a community with ties to Druze citizens of Israel.
However, most Druze leaders in Syria have repeatedly rejected any external intervention, insisting that their rights and protection lie with the Syrian state.
The Druze population in Syria is estimated at 800,000 out of 22 million citizens, mostly concentrated in Sweida, Rif Dimashq, Quneitra (south), and parts of Idlib (north).
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