Israeli Strikes Target Residential Building in Syria
Israeli strikes targeted a residential building west of the Syrian capital early Saturday, according to a war monitor. Israel has been conducting air strikes on Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Syrian army positions. However, the campaign has intensified since the war with Hamas in Gaza began on October 7.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Israeli attack on Saturday specifically targeted a residential building west of Damascus. The war monitor, which has a wide network of sources inside Syria, also noted the sound of violent explosions, including in the Dimas area of Damascus province. Syrian state media confirmed the strikes and stated that the country’s air defenses successfully shot down some of the missiles launched at the Damascus countryside.
Syria’s official news agency, SANA, cited a military source and revealed that the air strikes originated from the occupied Golan Heights. The strikes caused some material losses, according to the source. The recent strikes followed a missile attack near a military airport west of Damascus on Friday. The defense ministry reported that drones had entered Syrian airspace from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had previously reported that the Mazzeh military airport west of the capital Damascus was targeted in a missile attack. The observatory did not disclose who was responsible for the attack but mentioned the presence of Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other pro-Iran groups in the area.
In response to the incident on Friday, the defense ministry issued a statement stating that two drones violated Syrian airspace from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan at around 2:10 p.m. (1110 GMT). The statement further revealed that air defense systems intercepted and shot down the drones west of Damascus. However, neither source specified who was behind the incident.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Syria has been marked by frequent air strikes and missile attacks. Israel has consistently targeted Iranian-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters in Syria, viewing them as a threat to its national security. The recent escalation in strikes can be attributed to the war with Hamas in Gaza, which has strained relations between Israel and its neighboring countries.
The situation in Syria remains volatile, with multiple factions involved in the conflict. The presence of Hezbollah and other pro-Iran groups in the country has further complicated the situation. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, urging all parties to exercise restraint and seek peaceful resolutions.
In conclusion, Israeli strikes targeted a residential building west of the Syrian capital, Damascus, early Saturday. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran-backed forces and Syrian army positions. The recent escalation in strikes can be attributed to the war with Hamas in Gaza. The situation in Syria remains tense, with multiple factions involved in the conflict. The international community calls for restraint and peaceful resolutions to de-escalate the situation.