Israel carried out a series of powerful strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus Wednesday, escalating a campaign it says is in support of an Arab minority group involved in deadly clashes with Syrian government forces.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Damascus headquarters served as a command center for deploying regime forces to Suwayda, a southern Syrian region gripped by days of deadly clashes between government troops, Druze militias, and Bedouin groups.

The IDF emphasized that Israel citizens crossing into Syria is a criminal offense that endangers both the public and the IDF. The IDF identified dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Syria,

An Israeli military official said, "we are reinforcing forces in the Golan Heights and along the border, ready for a multitude of scenarios."

Israel’s Air Force has launched back-to-back drone strikes on Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus, escalating tensions in the region. The IDF issued an ultimatum demanding Syrian forces withdraw from Suwayda Province or face continued attacks.

Watch the dramatic moment an Israeli airstrike hit a Syrian military HQ on live TV as the journalist attempt to flee the scene in panic.

Antonio Guterres condemns Israel’s 'escalatory' airstrikes on Suweida, Daraa, center of Damascus, spokesman says - Anadolu Ajansı

Israeli troops on Wednesday sought to control crowds and prevent Druze from crossing into Syrian territory, after deadly sectarian violence prompted Damascus to send government forces to Syria's south.

Syrian forces had deployed in the southern city of Sweida, despite Israeli warnings, trying to contain clashes between members of the Druze minority and Bedouin.