Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed at least 15 people in Damascus, targeting Islamic Jihad infrastructure. The strikes coincided with a meeting of Iranian officials with Palestinian factions, and the Israeli military stated its operations were aimed at dismantling militant capabilities in Syria amidst ongoing regional conflicts.
On Thursday, Israel executed two airstrikes targeting the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus and a suburb known as Qudsaya, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals and wounding 16 more, according to Syrian state media. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that these strikes hit two buildings in the affected areas. Witnesses described significant damage to a five-story structure struck in the basement by a missile. The Israeli military reported that the airstrikes successfully targeted infrastructure and command centers belonging to the Islamic Jihad militant group in Syria. They asserted that these operations inflicted notable damage upon the group’s command center and personnel. This offensive coincided with the arrival of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, who was scheduled to meet representatives of Palestinian factions at the Iranian Embassy in Mazzeh. The Israeli military indicated that the Islamic Jihad group participated alongside Hamas in the attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the current regional conflict. They emphasized their commitment to continue operations against the Islamic Jihad wherever deemed necessary. A representative from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad mentioned that the airstrike in Mazzeh targeted their operational headquarters, stating that some members were killed in the attack, albeit this comment was made anonymously. SANA also reported that Syria’s air defenses engaged against a hostile target south of Homs, though further information was not provided. Iran has been a crucial ally for President Bashar Assad since the onset of the civil war in 2011, supplying military support and vital supplies to his regime. Israel’s military actions in Syria have been extensive, targeting various Iranian-backed factions and proxies in the aftermath of the escalating conflict.
The airstrikes conducted by Israel in Syria are part of a broader regional strategy aimed at countering Iranian influence and combatting militant groups, particularly Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Iran has significantly bolstered its military presence and economic resources to support President Assad. Israel regards the presence of Iranian forces and their proxies in Syria as a direct threat, prompting numerous preemptive strikes across the nation.
In conclusion, the recent Israeli airstrikes in Damascus underscore the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly the conflict dynamics involving Iran, Syria, and militant groups such as Islamic Jihad. These actions reflect Israel’s strategy to neutralize threats posed by Iranian-backed factions, amidst a backdrop of escalating violence since the October 7 attacks that marked a new phase in Middle Eastern conflict.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
