Israeli Air Strikes Kill Four Syrian Soldiers Near Damascus
In the early hours of Monday, Israeli air strikes targeted areas in and near Damascus, resulting in the deaths of four Syrian soldiers, according to the country’s official media. The attack allegedly took place at around 2:20 a.m., leaving four soldiers wounded and causing unspecified property damage, as reported by Syria’s state-run SANA media outlet.
A military official quoted by SANA stated, “The aggression led to the death of four soldiers, the wounding of four others, and some material losses.” Witnesses in the capital reported hearing explosions, while footage shared online showed bright flashes illuminating the sky, possibly from missile strikes or air defense projectiles.
Although Syria claims to have intercepted Israeli projectiles on a regular basis, military analysts tend to doubt these assertions. Israel, on the other hand, did not immediately respond to the incident, as the country typically avoids commenting on specific strikes. However, Israel has openly admitted to carrying out hundreds of sorties against Iran-backed groups aiming to establish a presence in Syria over the past decade. It has also targeted arms shipments believed to be destined for Hezbollah and similar organizations.
This alleged Israeli sortie marks the first attack over Syria since July 19, when fighter jets reportedly conducted strikes on targets in Damascus, injuring two soldiers. Earlier in July, Israel also attacked a Syrian air defense battery after a missile from the system exploded in Israeli airspace.
Tensions along Israel’s northern border have been escalating in recent weeks, primarily due to Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy group that supports Syrian President Bashar Assad. As the situation continues to develop, the region remains on high alert for potential further escalations.