Israel condemns Syrian 'attacks against Kurdish minority' in Aleppo

Israel on Thursday condemned the Syrian government over what it described as attacks against the Kurdish community in Aleppo, just days after the two sides agreed to establish a joint mechanism aimed at lowering bilateral tensions.

"Attacks by the Syrian regime's forces against the Kurdish minority in the city of Aleppo -- are grave and dangerous... Systematic and murderous repression of Syria's various minorities contradicts the promises of a 'new Syria'," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on X.

Deadly clashes erupted this week between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters as the two sides have so far failed to implement a March deal to merge the Kurds' semi-autonomous administration and military into Syria's new Islamist government.

The Kurds are pushing for decentralised rule, an idea which Syria's new authorities have rejected.

Despite assurances from Damascus that all of Syria's communities will be protected, minorities remain wary of their future under the new authorities.

Saar said the violence in Aleppo could increase if the international community remained silent.

"The international community in general, and the West in particular, owes a debt of honour to the Kurds who fought bravely and successfully against ISIS," Saar said.

Earlier this week, Israel and Syria, under US pressure, agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism, an unprecedented step as the two countries edge towards a security agreement after decades of hostilities.

Following discussions in Paris, Israel and Syria agreed to establish "a dedicated communication cell" under US supervision that will seek to lower bilateral tensions.

US President Donald Trump, who received Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Washington in November, has been pushing for a security deal between Syria and Israel, but Israel remains distrustful of the former jihadist turned Syrian president.

After the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarised zone on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, and has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria as well as regular incursions.