- 2 days ago
In this episode of Newstrack, the main focus is the escalating conflict in West Asia, with Israel launching powerful airstrikes on Syria's capital, Damascus. The strikes targeted Syria's military headquarters, located near the presidential palace.
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00:00Israel bombs Syria in new strikes
00:08vows to defend Druze community
00:16Syria slams treacherous aggression
00:21shadow war turns into open skirmish
00:30West Asia content that is a top focus on
00:44news track
00:47good evening you watching news track here
00:50on India today I'm akshatan on the goal
00:52part we're going to be getting you
00:53videos that have emerged all for
00:55Israel's IDF striking the military
00:58headquarters of Syria in Damascus
01:01shocking images that have come in I will
01:03break down for you why Israel has gone
01:05ahead and attacked Damascus now why have
01:08they targeted Syria we've been seeing a
01:10whole lot of these conflicts of West Asia
01:12all centered around Israel will be
01:15getting all of those details let's begin
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02:35The latest conflict in West Asia between Israel and Syria
02:49Israel in fact has launched a series of powerful strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus
02:55in its campaign to support the Arab minority group involved in deadly clashes with the Syrian government forces
03:01There are a number of videos some released by the IDF others captured in Syria
03:06that show exactly what happened and how the military headquarters in Damascus
03:12was suddenly blown to bits
03:14Let's begin by showing you a video from a Syrian television channel
03:18They were live on their broadcast with the Ministry of Defense as their backdrop
03:23And just as the anchor was speaking suddenly a massive explosion
03:27Take a look at that video first
03:29The Luma Haja Mata
03:31The Luma Haja Mata
03:36The Luma Haja Mata
03:40The Luma Haja Mata
03:50Now how scary is that video
03:54You can see the anchor there getting ready for a live broadcast
03:57when suddenly that massive explosion and the whole studio is shaking
04:02Now Israel has in fact said that this is just the beginning
04:06The painful blows as they've put it have just begun
04:09Israel has carried out airstrikes on Syria
04:12as part of its commitment to protect a minority group called the Druze
04:17This video shows you the impact right after the military headquarters
04:20and the kind of emergency services that were pressed in
04:23We don't know just yet of the number of casualties
04:26but there's no doubt that number will be high
04:29because this was in the heart of Damascus
04:30that the military headquarters was blown up
04:33even as there was normal traffic going through
04:35Let's get your details first in our report
04:37of what we know about these latest strikes by Israel
04:40Plumes of smoke rose to the skies
04:47as an Israeli airstrike hit next to the presidential palace
04:51in Syria's capital Damascus on Wednesday
04:54The airstrike target was the People's Palace
04:58where transitional president of Syria
05:01Ahmed al-Shara resides
05:04The Israeli Defense Forces released the video of its airstrike soon after
05:10with a statement that they will continue to strike military targets
05:15belonging to the Syrian regime in Damascus
05:18Earlier in the day, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
05:24clearly warned the Syrian regime with military strikes
05:28in support of the Druze community in southern Syria
05:31My fellow Druze citizens of Israel
05:38the situation in Sweda and the situation in southwestern Syria is very serious
05:43The IDF is working, the Air Force is working and the other forces are also working
05:47We are working to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime
05:51I have a request to you, you are citizens of Israel
05:54Don't cross the border, you are risking your lives, you can be killed
05:58You can be kidnapped and you are harming the efforts of the IDF
06:02I am asking you, return home, let the IDF operate
06:05Clashes raged in the southern Syrian city of Sweda
06:11After a cease-fire between government forces and Druze, armed groups collapsed
06:16The latest escalation in Syria began with a tit-for-tat kidnapping
06:21and attacks between local Sunni, Bedouin tribes and Druze-armed factions in the southern province
06:28A centre of the Druze community
06:31Many people from the Druze community live across the border in northern Israel
06:38While people from across the Syrian border tried to cross over to Israel
06:45Druze people living in Israel gathered in a show of support near the border
06:50In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the military
06:58More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria
07:03In Syria, the Druze have been divided over how to deal with the country's new leaders
07:09Some advocate for integration into the new system
07:13While others have remained suspicious of the authorities in Damascus
07:18And pushed for an autonomous Druze region
07:21Israel, since annexing Golan Heights, where most Druze people live, has stood in its support
07:29For the third day in a row, they have struck Syria in support of the community
07:34And show no signs of backing down in the immediate future
07:39Bureau Report, India Today
07:43So many questions over why this kind of an escalation suddenly between Israel and Syria
07:54How did Israel manage to strike Damascus with Syria having no idea that this was coming their way
08:01And clearly, with Israel continuing to escalate the West Asia conflict
08:06Multiple conflicts essentially that we are talking about now
08:08What does this really mean for the region?
08:10I want to bring in Sandeep Unitan to talk about why we have seen this escalation right now
08:15Sandeep, what explains Israel suddenly going ahead with this kind of an unprecedented massive strike?
08:21Well, there have been clashes of late in the south of Syria
08:28Where the Bedouins have been clashing with the Druze minority
08:32And Israel has said that they have struck at Syria for those clashes
08:38Where over 200 people were killed
08:40The Druze are a minority, they're very pro-Israel
08:43You have a Druze community that's in Israel as well
08:46These are the most significant attacks on Syria since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in December of 2024
08:54And it points to the fact that today Israel has unparalleled air superiority over the entire Middle East
09:02From the Mediterranean right up to the Arabian Sea
09:05Sandeep, just stay with me
09:07Let's cut across also to reactions coming in
09:09America has now reacted to the Israeli fresh strikes on Syria
09:14Let's get you that news break
09:15So America has actually referred to this as a misunderstanding between Syria and Israel
09:29The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has called the situation complicated
09:33But has also confirmed that America is in touch with both Israel as well as Syria
09:38America will be looking to kind of ensure that there's de-escalation
09:42Which is why the U.S. Secretary of State is confirming that currently there's a conversation underway
09:47With both Syria and Israel
09:49Rubio is highlighting that they hope to see progress in the next few hours
09:53Because the concern is that with this kind of a strike
09:56This could be just the beginning by Israel
09:58And that's something Israel has spoken of about as well
10:01Saying that they should be ready to suffer more such blows
10:05That Syria should be ready to suffer more such blows
10:08And that's what's got the world concerned right now
10:10But listen in to what the U.S. Secretary of State said
10:12Working on that issue as we speak
10:17I just got off the phone with the relevant parties
10:20We're very concerned about it
10:21And hopefully we'll have some updates later today for you
10:25But we're very concerned about it
10:27We want to stop
10:27Thank you for joining
10:30I'm sorry, we want the fighting to stop
10:32Because we had a ceasefire overnight to throw it down
10:34So we're talking to both sides
10:37All relevant sides on this
10:39And hopefully we can bring it to a conclusion
10:40But we're very concerned
10:41Okay, let me bring in Pranay Upadhyay of India Today Global for more details
10:46So on this, Pranay, how's the world seeing what's happened between Israel and Syria
10:51And this massive escalation in another conflict essentially that's playing out of West Asia
10:57Look, the question right now will be about how Israel feels emboldened to go ahead with these strikes
11:02In different parts, different regions, different countries
11:05All of course their neighbours in different ways
11:08But there are serious questions being asked about how Israel is getting away with these kind of strikes repeatedly
11:13As Sandeep was also referring, Kshita
11:16Israel currently is having a superiority in air domination in the entire region
11:22Israel has that kind of a capacity
11:25And that's why, you know, the fault lines of this tension has always remained in this region
11:29Especially the Golan Heights, the southern part of Syria
11:32Which is being struck by Israeli air force
11:34And in fact, the Damascus area, which is the capital of Syria
11:37Is being struck by the Israeli air force
11:40This clearly is a message from Tel Aviv to Syrian regime, to Syrian government
11:44That it is a no-go area for them
11:46Especially as far as the Druze community is concerned
11:49This is a community which Israel thinks is their friend of Israel
11:54They are present in Israel as well
11:56They are in the security forces of Israel
11:59In fact, the Shinbat and the Israeli defense forces
12:02So this is a reason why Israel is carrying out these attacks
12:05But you heard Secretary Mark Rubio clearly stating that
12:09U.S. is looking at, with a concern on this area, in this region
12:13Because U.S. was the one who actually orchestrated or helped the transition of government in Syria
12:18After the departure of Bashar al-Assad regime
12:22And instated the Mohammed al-Sharaz regime there, the HDS, came to power
12:27So if that gets destabilized, the entire scheme of things which U.S. thought that would be there in place
12:34To save and to secure the interest of Israel as well
12:38And that's why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly said after the regime change, Akshita
12:42That Israel will protect the southern borders, Israel will protect every interest
12:48And until the time they are assured that there will not be any attack
12:52They are going to remain, maintain their domination in the region
12:56Also Pranay, at this point, looking at the warnings that are coming in from Israel
13:01Is there a concern that this could escalate further?
13:04How has Syria really responded?
13:05Look, Syria is on its knees right now, let's be very, very clear
13:08And perhaps in no situation right now to respond militarily to Israel
13:12Especially looking at the might of the Israeli military
13:14But having said that, how has Syria really reacted or viewed this particular incident of the strike?
13:21Akshita, Syria doesn't have that capacity to retaliate to Israeli airstrikes
13:27So therefore, they might have reached to the United States
13:29And the United States or the Trump administration will reach out to Israel
13:33And try and contain the Israeli airstrikes in the region
13:36But clearly, this has to do with the regional and ethnic equations of Syria
13:42There, the Druze community and the Bedouin community in the ethnic clashes
13:46Which erupted on Friday
13:47And it has risen to almost 240 or 250 almost
13:53And that was the reason, that was the immediate trigger
13:56And that's why I think the Mohammed al-Shara
13:58Because he might have reached to the U.S. administration
14:01And that's why Secretary Marco Rubio has stated that
14:04They are not only concerned, but they are talking to both the parties
14:08They are trying to de-escalate the situation
14:10So as far as the Syrian regime or Syrian government is concerned
14:14The only leverage they have is their contact with the United States
14:17Okay, alright Pranay, thanks very much for getting us all of those details
14:20Pranay Upadhyay, rounding up for us all the updates of the world reactions that are coming in
14:26Just look at the footage on your screens of when the blast occurred
14:29There were multiple reporters there who were covering and talking about tensions
14:34And then suddenly these explosions rocking the military headquarters
14:39What is considered to be one of the most protected units, protected buildings in Syria or in any country in the world
14:46Why did this happen?
14:47We've been talking repeatedly of the Druze community
14:51And the fact that it's because of this community that Israel has actually struck Syria
14:56Has actually struck their military headquarters
14:58And a clear warning to be issued to them
15:00Let's tell you about this community
15:01It's an Arab-speaking ethnic minority group
15:05They mainly reside in parts of Lebanon, parts of Syria, particularly southern Syria
15:09As well as Israel
15:11This is a group that broke from the Shia Islam in the 10th, 12th century
15:15But it incorporates aspects of Hinduism, of Judaism and Christianity
15:20And they have very close ties with Israel
15:23How is that?
15:24Well, of the Druze community, about 120,000 plus are actually Israeli citizens
15:31They serve in the IDF
15:33The IDF is the Israeli Defense Forces
15:35They serve in police, they serve in politics
15:37So they play an integral role in functioning, in the functioning of Israel
15:42Now the Druze community, and they're referred to as the Druze people
15:45So the Druze in Israel mostly live in Galilee, in Carmel and in Golan Heights
15:50The Golan Heights is the most disputed part essentially between Syria and Israel
15:55So Israel feels a need to essentially protect the Druze
15:59Especially those who are in Syria
16:00They consider them to be almost family-like kin
16:02And that's why Israel often acts to protect the Druze abroad as well
16:08In this particular case, Israel believed that there was a threat to the Druze community
16:14Because of the fact that there's been of course a whole lot of tension and unrest in southern Syria
16:19Which is where the Druze community is based
16:21The Druze has been involved in a lot of activity to actually ensure anti-government activity
16:28If you will, for the overthrow of the government in Syria
16:31And that's why Syrian forces have been targeting the Druze community
16:34Against which Israel had warned Syria
16:37Syria didn't heed that warning
16:39So they went ahead with that strike
16:40Let me bring in Sandeep Puneetam once again on this broadcast
16:43Sandeep, the question also that's being asked
16:45Is how Israel pulled off this kind of a strike
16:48We've been seeing multiple such incidents of escalation of strikes by Israel
16:54Not just in Syria, but in different parts of this region
16:57How is it that Israel is managing to pull off these kind of strikes
17:00With no intimation
17:02And none of these countries ever seeing that this kind of a strike is coming
17:06Well the footage suggests that these were air-to-ground munitions that were used
17:13And this is not the first time that Israel has struck inside Syria
17:17After the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government
17:20You saw this very unprecedented side of Israeli warplanes
17:25Destroying what was left of the Syrian navy
17:28What was left of the Syrian air force
17:30All of those strategic assets that could be used by the incoming government of Ahmed al-Shara
17:36Were destroyed
17:37So today Syria is a country without an air force, without a navy
17:41Without much means to defend itself
17:44And all of this has been made possible by Israel
17:47And it's heavy investment in the air force
17:50Israel has one of the most powerful air forces in the world
17:54We saw that recently in the conflict with Iran
17:56When Israeli warplanes flew the distance
17:59That would normally take an aircraft to fly between Bombay, Delhi and back
18:05That is a kind of regular sorties that they were flying to attack Iranian targets and flying back
18:10Today they can fly any point, like I mentioned, across West Asia
18:14From the Mediterranean to the Arabian Sea
18:16There's no one challenging them
18:18They can strike targets at will
18:20And clearly what we've just seen in Syria is that particular state of play
18:24That military state of play on the ground
18:26It's the most significant point in the Middle East
18:30Since at least the 1967 six-day war between the Arab countries and Israel
18:35You're right, you know, we're seeing this unprecedented escalation right now between Israel and Syria
18:40That footage that you see right now on your screen
18:43That's the military headquarters
18:45And this military component was very, very close to the Syrian presidential palace
18:49So you look at the messaging Israel is sending across
18:52This is the capital of Syria, Damascus
18:54All of the vehicles you see there
18:56All scurrying, not knowing which direction to go in
18:59Just because of the sheer magnitude of those strikes
19:02That entire building blown to bits
19:04Nothing left but rubble now
19:06But we still don't really have any sort of estimate on casualties
19:10But let's address the question of why Israel intervened
19:14What led to this sudden strike on Syria
19:17Well essentially Israel is committed to protecting the Druze in Syria like I told you
19:22So what we've explained there for you
19:24In the map you can see Israel there on the extreme left
19:27But the area that we've shaded in purple
19:29That's where the Druze are currently
19:32This is in southern Syria
19:33So while they're there in places like Dara
19:36That's where you see a lot of conflicts taking place
19:40There's about 120,000 Druze who live in northern Israel
19:45And then there are many of them as a minority
19:48Who live in Syria as well
19:50So in southern Syria
19:51There is in fact a whole lot of conflict
19:55That's broken out in that area
19:57Now because of that particularly in Golan Heights
20:01Which is a UN buffer zone
20:03You've had after the Assad regime's fall in December
20:06Israeli forces also deployed there
20:10So there's been already a conflict in that
20:13And as a result of the same from Syria
20:15The Syrian forces have actively been fighting it off
20:18With in fact the Druze in that southern Syria area
20:21Israel warned them against it
20:23The strikes and in fact the clash has continued
20:26Which is why Israel from their territory
20:28Flown all the way to Damascus
20:30And hit Damascus where it hurts the most
20:34And Syria already is a nation
20:36That's facing a whole lot of turmoil, conflict and what not
20:41So they can't afford any sort of response
20:43But Pranay, looking at the footage really
20:45Of that explosion, of that strike
20:47It's clear the messaging involved by Israel
20:50But as a result of that happening
20:52Do we have any details of casualties right now?
20:55So far the casualty figure from Damascus has not come
20:58But clearly you can make out from the visuals
21:01That you know what kind of destruction
21:02Has been caused by the Israeli defense forces
21:05And their strikes in Damascus
21:06This is a clear message
21:07Message of deterrence from Tel Aviv
21:10Delivered in Damascus
21:11That if you move further
21:13Because you know what is the immediate trigger
21:15Why did you know Israel
21:16You know started striking in Damascus
21:19Because the Syrian military forces
21:21The Syrian forces were advancing in the Sovedu area
21:24Which is the Druze area
21:25And where there the ethnic clashes
21:27Between Bedouin community and the Druze community
21:30Erupted on Friday
21:31And which actually took the toll to around 248 people
21:35In that region
21:36And that ethnic clashes were still continuing
21:38And that's why the Syrian regime
21:40Syrian government has moved their security forces
21:42And Israel started carrying out
21:44To deter those advancements in that region
21:47Because clearly that is a kind of a message
21:49Israel never wanted
21:51Israel doesn't want the Syrian military forces
21:53To be deployed in the Golan height area
21:55And if you recall Akshita
21:57That post December 2024
21:58Post the regime change in Damascus
22:01Israel has always maintained
22:03That they are going to dominate that region
22:06And they are going to keep their military presence
22:07There has been a military advancement
22:09From the Israeli side in the Syrian territory
22:11To maintain, to keep that buffer
22:13And that is the reason why
22:15Israel is not only protecting the Druze community
22:17But they are also, you know
22:19Taking it to Damascus
22:21To give out this message
22:22But seriously
22:23This actually raises the concern
22:25In that entire region
22:26Because Golan height is an area
22:27Where the UN peacekeeping force is there
22:29Akshita
22:29And even Indian troops are there
22:31Indian army, you know
22:33Contributing to the UN peacekeeping force
22:35Has its presence in the Golan height area
22:37Okay, so let's hope there's no escalation
22:39You can never really say
22:40Looking at what's been happening in West Asia
22:42For the last many months
22:43Israel-Iran
22:45Israel-Palestine
22:47Israel-Gaza
22:47Israel-Syria
22:49The list is long
22:51And let's hope
22:52That there's some stability
22:53That gets into the region
22:54Of course a whole lot of it
22:55Will be crucial
22:56On what America does
22:57In the next steps of talking
22:59And having dialogue
23:00With Syria and Israel
23:02Thanks very much Pranay
23:03For joining us with those details
23:04Let's hope
23:05That we don't get more footage
23:06Of this sort of
23:07More strikes
23:08More casualties
23:09As a result of conflict
23:12And the conflict that's escalating
23:13In West Asia
23:15These are the strikes
23:16That Israel has conducted
23:17On a military compound
23:20In Damascus
23:20Of Syria
23:21All right, let's move on
23:26And get your footage
23:27That's come in from America
23:28Which has been seeing
23:29Absolutely crazy weather
23:31In the last few weeks
23:32From unpredictable storms
23:35To a heat wave
23:36To sometimes also this
23:38Flash floods
23:38Northeastern America
23:40You're seeing essentially
23:42The impact being felt there
23:44Life coming to a standstill
23:45For residents of New York
23:46And particularly New Jersey
23:48A state of emergency
23:49Has been issued
23:50There are flash flood warnings
23:52That have been issued
23:52All across New York
23:54In New Jersey too
23:55The situation is worrying
23:56We've been reporting for you
23:57On the situation in Texas too
23:59Where there continue
24:00To be flash flood warnings
24:01Subway platforms submerged
24:13Leaving commuters stranded
24:15Trains and buses delayed
24:18Flights halted
24:21Life in the city
24:23That never sleeps
24:24Came to a halt
24:25During late hours of Monday
24:27Torrential rains
24:30Battered several cities
24:31In America's northeast
24:33New York and New Jersey
24:34Were among the worst hit
24:36Governor Phil Murphy
24:40Declared emergency
24:41In the state of New Jersey
24:42Due to flash flooding
24:44And heavy rainfall
24:45Two people lost their lives
24:50As rain swept their car
24:51Away in New Jersey
24:53Citizens were advised
24:54To stay indoors
24:55And avoid unnecessary travel
24:57The National Weather Service
25:01Of the US
25:02Issued flash flood warnings
25:04Across all five boroughs
25:05Of New York City
25:06The city's
25:08Emergency Management Department
25:09Appealed people
25:10Residing in basement apartments
25:12Or low-lying regions
25:14To be ready
25:15To be evacuated
25:16Meanwhile
25:18The aviation sector
25:19Is taking a big blow
25:20As over 1,900 flights
25:22Were cancelled
25:23And over 10,000 flights
25:25Were delayed across America
25:27Bearer Report
25:29India Today
25:30That's all we have time
25:35For in this edition
25:35Of Newstrike
25:36Thanks very much
25:37For tuning in
25:37I'm leaving you
25:38With heartwarming images
25:40Of group captain
25:42Shubhanshu Shukla
25:43He's back on earth
25:44After that successful
25:45Splashdown
25:46But just look at
25:47Those wonderful images
25:48After two long months
25:49He's got an opportunity
25:51To finally hug his family
25:52His wife
25:53As well as
25:55His four-year-old son
25:56And group captain Shukla
25:58Says it's magical in space
26:00But it's a whole lot
26:01More magical
26:02With family
26:03Enjoy these images
26:04Absolutely heartwarming
26:05To see him back
26:06With his family
26:07Thanks for watching
26:08Good night
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