Drone Strike Kills Guardians of Religion Commander Near Idlib

A journalists' convoy is seen at the entrance of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
A journalists' convoy is seen at the entrance of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Drone Strike Kills Guardians of Religion Commander Near Idlib

A journalists' convoy is seen at the entrance of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
A journalists' convoy is seen at the entrance of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

An Uzbek military commander was killed on Thursday in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province following a drone strike believed to be mounted by the US-led International Coalition. The strike targeted a vehicle near the town of Sarmada.

“A drone believed to be affiliated with the International Coalition targeted a four-wheel drive vehicle near the town of Sarmada in Idlib countryside, which led to the killing of the Uzbek leader, known by his alias ‘Abu Yahya’ and wounding two of his companions,” a source in the Syrian opposition’s civil defense in Idlib province told DPA.

The source pointed out that the commander was identified through the papers that were found inside the vehicle and the ID card he was carrying under which his name and position were specified. The card was issued by the military wing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Information circulated on social media pages affiliated with the extremist Guardians of Religion Organization revealed that the Uzbek commander works as an independent military trainer.

Idlib and Aleppo’s countryside fall under the control of extremist groups, including the HTS and factions from the National Front for Liberation which is an offshoot of the Syrian opposition’s National Army.

Leaders of militant groups in Idlib throughout the past years have been the target of drone strikes staged by the International Coalition. Dozens were killed.

For its part, the opposition’s Sham network reported on a drone strike targeting a military vehicle en route the southern mountainous road of the Sarmada town in Idlib. It said that the strike had hit an Uzbek commander that goes by Abu Yahya and has led to his death.

On June 24, a drone strike believed to belong to the International Coalition targeted a military vehicle traveling the road connecting the town of Binnish to Idlib. The strike resulted in two deaths.

The Guardians of Religion Organization, at the time, announced the death of the commander Abu al-Qassem in an air strike that targeted Idlib.



Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
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Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defense ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. 

The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against the administration of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They came despite his warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel. 

Describing Syria's new rulers as barely disguised extremists, Israel has said it will not let them move forces into southern Syria and vowed to shield the area's Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel's own Druze minority. 

The US said the fighting would stop soon. 

"We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria. We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media. 

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats said. 

"The council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil," said Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon. "Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat on its borders, anywhere and at any time." 

WARPLANES OVER DAMASCUS 

Scores of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, pitting fighters from the Druze minority against government security forces and members of Bedouin tribes. 

Reuters reporters heard warplanes swoop low over the capital and unleash a series of massive strikes mid-afternoon. Columns of smoke rose from the area near the defense ministry. A section of the building was destroyed, the ground strewn with rubble. 

A Syrian medical source said the strikes on the ministry killed five members of the security forces. 

An Israeli military official said the entrance to the military headquarters in Damascus was struck, along with a military target near the presidential palace. The official said Syrian forces were not acting to prevent attacks on Druze and were part of the problem. 

"We will not allow southern Syria to become a terror stronghold," said Eyal Zamir, Israel's military chief of staff. 

Sharaa faces challenges to stitch Syria back together in the face of deep misgivings from groups that fear extremist rule. In March, mass killings of members of the Alawite minority exacerbated the mistrust. 

On Monday, Syrian government troops were dispatched to the Sweida region to quell fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed men. The troops ended up clashing with the Druze militias. 

New clashes broke out in the city, according to a Reuters witness, after the Syrian interior ministry and a Druze leader, Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, said a ceasefire had been reached. 

Sweida residents said they were holed up indoors. "We are surrounded and we hear the fighters screaming ... we're so scared," a resident of Sweida said by phone. 

Cracks of gunfire interspersed by booms could be heard in the background. "We're trying to keep the children quiet so that no one can hear us," the man added, asking not to be identified for fear of reprisals. 

Syria's health ministry said dozens of bodies, including fighters and civilians, had been found in a hospital in the city. 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 169 people had been killed in this week's violence. Security sources put the toll at 300. Reuters could not independently verify the tolls. 

Druze, followers of a religion that is an offshoot of Islam, are spread between Syria, Lebanon and Israel. 

Following calls in Israel to help Druze in Syria, scores of Israeli Druze broke through the border fence on Wednesday, linking up with Druze on the Syrian side, a Reuters witness said. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military was working to save the Druze and urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to safely return civilians who had crossed. 

Israeli Druze man Faez Shkeir said he felt helpless watching the violence in Syria. "My family is in Syria - my wife is in Syria, my uncles are from Syria, and my family is in Syria, in Sweida, I don't like to see them being killed. They kicked them out of their homes, they robbed and burned their houses, but I can't do anything," he said. 

A Syrian government statement on Wednesday said those responsible for lawlessness in Sweida would be held accountable. It said the government was committed to protecting the rights of the people in Sweida. 

Sharaa has repeatedly promised to protect minorities.