Israeli airstrikes in Damascus and a nearby suburb killed 15 individuals and injured 16, targeting Islamic Jihad militant infrastructure. The strikes occurred prior to a significant meeting involving Iranian representatives, linking military actions to broader regional tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict.
On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted a western neighborhood in Damascus and a suburb, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals and injuring another 16, as reported by Syria’s state news agency, SANA. The strikes specifically hit the Mazzeh neighborhood and the Qudsaya suburb, damaging a five-story building in Mazzeh, where a missile penetrated the basement. The Israeli military confirmed their operation aimed at Islamic Jihad’s infrastructure, asserting significant damage was inflicted on the organization’s command centres and operatives. This military action occurred shortly before a meeting involving Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, with representatives of Palestinian factions at the Iranian Embassy in the affected area. The Israeli military associated Islamic Jihad’s collaboration with Hamas during the attacks on southern Israel on October 7, which escalated the current regional conflict. In response to the strikes, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad official indicated that their organization had suffered casualties from the attack on its Mazzeh office. Additionally, SANA reported that Syrian air defenses were activated to counter hostile targets near Homs, although further details were not disclosed. It is worth noting that Iran remains a principal supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime throughout the civil war, facilitating military and economic assistance to bolster his government against its adversaries.
The Israeli airstrikes in Damascus are part of a broader context of ongoing military operations by Israel against Iranian and militant group presence in Syria. Israel has consistently targeted positions associated with Hezbollah and Iranian-backed factions to counter perceived threats to its national security. The situation is complicated by Iran’s considerable military and financial support for the Assad regime during the long-standing civil war, which still engenders regional tension and conflict.
In summary, Israel’s recent airstrikes in Damascus reflect its ongoing efforts to neutralize threats from the Islamic Jihad militant group, coinciding with significant political events involving Iran and Palestinian factions. The strikes exemplify the multifaceted dynamics at play in the region, where military actions are closely linked with political developments in the context of a protracted conflict. The situation underscores Israel’s commitment to countering Iranian influence in Syria, while highlighting the tragic consequences of the violence for civilian populations.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
