Suspected Israeli airstrike in Syria
On 18 February, an airstrike, suspected to have been carried out by the Israeli Air Force, targeted sites in the Damascus Governorate, including a residential building. Fifteen people were killed, and another fifteen were injured.
Background.
Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, many international airstrikes have been carried out. In Syria, there is a large presence of Iranian troops as well as allies including Hezbollah and foreign militias from Iraq and Afghanistan. The strike took place in the same area where Hezbollah's senior commander, Imad Mughniyeh, was assassinated in 2008.
Attack.
On 18 February, targets in Damascus were struck by alleged Israeli missiles from the Golan Heights. The Kafr Sousa neighborhood was struck near highly guarded Iranian installations. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), the strike hit a warehouse used by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters. Historic buildings near the Citadel of Damascus were damaged, which was blamed on the strike. The strike damaged buildings near Umayyad Square, where multiple security installations are located. Other civilian buildings were also damaged, resulting in 15 injuries.
A woman was killed in the Marzaa District, possibly due to Syrian anti-aircraft munitions.
Initial reports stated only 5 people were killed, but this number later rose to 15, including at least 2 civilian deaths, as per the SOHR. It was reported that Colonel Amjad Ali, nicknamed the 'butcher of Damascus', was among the dead. Sources told "Reuters" that the airstrike targeted an installation where Iranian officials were meeting to advance military programs aimed at developing drone or missile capabilities.
Reactions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, considering it a "flagrant violation of international law". The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denounced the strikes in Damascus, expressing their outrage at the destruction and civilian casualties caused. Hamas strongly "condemned the Israeli attack and its targeting of residential neighborhoods in the capital, Damascus..." while the Islamic Jihad Movement stated that the bombing "reveals Israel's continuous efforts to target Syria and deepen the tragedy of its people who are healing their wounds after the devastating earthquake."
References.
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