Tensions Escalate as Israeli Strikes in Southern Syria Kill Six and Displace Hundreds
Israel defends its military actions in the UN buffer zone, while Syria and international actors condemn the strikes as violations of sovereignty and international law.
- Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in the village of Koayiah, southern Syria, killed at least six people, with conflicting accounts on whether the victims were civilians or armed individuals.
- Hundreds of families have fled the area, seeking refuge in neighboring villages and olive groves, as clashes between Israeli troops and local residents intensified.
- Israel justifies its actions as necessary to counter threats and protect minority groups like the Druze, while Syrian authorities accuse Israel of violating the 1974 buffer zone agreement.
- The European Union, Jordan, and other international actors have condemned the strikes, warning of potential regional escalation and humanitarian fallout.
- Syria's interim government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has called for Israel's immediate withdrawal from the buffer zone but reiterated it does not intend to engage in direct conflict with Israel.
Deutsche Welle 
