Israeli forces have launched a series of airstrikes targeting a former military barracks in Kiswa, a district situated southwest of Damascus, according to reports from Syria’s state-operated media outlet, al-Ekhbariya TV. This military operation culminated in the use of drone strikes that resulted in casualties among Syrian personnel, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
Footage validated by ZezapTV’s Sanad fact-checking unit documented Israeli aircraft executing coordinated strikes on strategic sites within the village on Wednesday. A military source from Syria disclosed that the operation involved four Israeli helicopters, which facilitated a landing operation at the barracks. The Israeli contingent reportedly included a significant number of soldiers equipped with various search apparatus, spending over two hours within the area.
Importantly, the engagement did not result in any direct confrontations between the Israeli forces and the Syrian military personnel present. This operation followed a previous incident in which six Syrian soldiers lost their lives due to Israeli drone activities near Kiswa, coinciding with Syrian officials’ growing concerns regarding Israel’s intentions to extend its influence in the area.
In response to these events, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the airstrike as a severe infringement of international law and a violation of the United Nations Charter. It characterized the attack as a blatant breach of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Since the upheaval in the Syrian leadership in December that saw the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, Israel has launched numerous strikes aimed at military installations across Syria. The Israeli government has also been accused of expanding its presence in the Golan Heights, an action interpreted as a breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.
Furthermore, on Monday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced that Israel had dispatched 60 soldiers to assert control over an area within Syrian territory surrounding Mount Hermon, a location of strategic significance near the Lebanese border. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani criticized this military incursion as indicative of Israel’s broader ambitions toward territorial expansion.
The recent military activities coincide with reports of violent sectarian clashes in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda, where confrontations resulted in considerable loss of life. These events have fueled further Israeli military actions, notably airstrikes in Damascus, which the Israeli government claimed were necessary to protect the Druze community.
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