Syria’s military has reported that five people have died after Israeli missiles struck the capital Damascus and its surrounding areas on Sunday. According to officials, a building in the central Kafr Sousa neighbourhood was hit, killing four civilians and one soldier. The densely populated district is home to a large, heavily guarded security complex.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll was 15 people, including civilians. The strike, which occurred at 00:22 local time (21:22 GMT), caused damage to several homes in Damascus neighbourhoods and other nearby areas. The country’s defence ministry said the rockets were launched from the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau south-west of Damascus which was annexed by Israel in 1981.
Israel has not commented on the strike when approached by Reuters news agency, though it has previously acknowledged that it targets the bases of militant groups loyal to Iran. The two countries are arch-foes and have been engaged in a “shadow war” of unclaimed attacks on each other’s assets, infrastructure and nationals. Sunday’s attack was the first since a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the north-west of the country, as well as parts of neighbouring Turkey, 12 days ago.
Syria’s military has reported that five people have died in an Israeli missile strike on the capital Damascus and its surrounding areas on Sunday. According to officials, a building in the central Kafr Sousa neighbourhood was hit, killing four civilians and one soldier. The densely populated district is home to a large, heavily guarded security complex.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll was 15 people, including civilians. The strike, which occurred at 00:22 local time (21:22 GMT), caused damage to several homes in Damascus neighbourhoods and other nearby areas. The country’s defence ministry said the rockets were launched from the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau south-west of Damascus which was annexed by Israel in 1981.
Israel has not commented on the strike when approached by Reuters news agency, though it has previously acknowledged that it targets the bases of militant groups loyal to Iran. The two countries are arch-foes and have been engaged in a “shadow war” of unclaimed attacks on each other’s assets, infrastructure and nationals. Sunday’s attack was the first since a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the north-west of the country, as well as parts of neighbouring Turkey, 12 days ago.
The attack has been described as the deadliest Israeli attack in the Syrian capital since the start of the conflict. It is believed that Israel is attempting to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent presence in Syria and to limit its influence in the region. In response to Sunday’s strike, Syria’s government has condemned Israel for its “flagrant aggression”.
The ongoing conflict between Syria and Israel is a cause for great concern among international observers. The two countries have been locked in a cycle of violence for many years and there appears to be no end in sight. As long as both sides continue to engage in unclaimed attacks, civilians will continue to suffer and the region will remain unstable.