Syria condemned Israeli air strikes on civilian sites near Damascus that resulted in casualties, calling for UN intervention. The Syrian Foreign Ministry labeled the strikes as criminal due to their targeting of civilians in conflict-prone areas largely associated with Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israel justified the strikes as targeting Hezbollah’s intelligence assets within Syria, amidst an ongoing military campaign that has intensified compared to previous years.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned recent Israeli air strikes on civilian sites near Damascus, which resulted in two fatalities and five injuries, as reported by human rights activists. The attacks, which occurred on Monday evening, reportedly targeted areas including the Sayyidah Zaynab region, known for its significance to Hezbollah, with Syrian state media describing the incidents as stemming from aggression by Israeli forces utilizing warplanes from the occupied Golan Heights. In response, Syria has called for immediate action from the United Nations to address what it terms as “Israeli aggression” against its civilians. According to Syrian state-run news outlet SANA, the attacks occurred at approximately 5:18 PM local time, hitting multiple civilian locations south of the capital and causing considerable material damage. Reports indicate that the first strike hit a junction while a second struck near a hotel, with a third targeting farmhouses in the vicinity, leading to significant civilian disruptions and casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that two members of Hezbollah were among the casualties, emphasizing the sustained risk posed to civilians in conflict-affected areas. In a notable and rare admission, the Israeli Air Force confirmed it targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence operations in Syria through their social media channels, identifying the attack as part of a broader strategy to undermine Hezbollah’s military capabilities, a tactic Israel has employed following heightened regional tensions since the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas fighters. Sayyidah Zaynab, a known Hezbollah bastion and home to a prominent Shia shrine, remains a focal point for Israeli military operations due to the concentration of its fighters and affiliates throughout the region. Israel has engaged in extensive military operations across Syrian territory over the years, usually refraining from public acknowledgment of particular attacks yet ramping up actions under the premise of countering Iranian and Hezbollah influence in Syria, which Israel perceives as a direct threat to its national security.
Israeli military operations in Syria have been a significant part of the complex geopolitical landscape of the region, particularly concerning its relations with Hezbollah, an ally of Iran. Israel has routinely conducted air strikes in Syria, targeting military installations believed to be associated with Hezbollah and Iranian forces. The strategic significance of Sayyidah Zaynab, a district south of Damascus that holds a revered Shia shrine, heightens the potential for conflict as it serves as a stronghold for Hezbollah fighters who have sought refuge in Syria. This ongoing tension has been exacerbated since the outbreak of violence that began with the unexpected Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, promptingIsrael to escalate its military responses.
The recent Israeli air strikes on civilian sites near Damascus have drawn strong condemnation from Syria, with calls for international intervention to halt what Syria describes as aggression against its civilians. The conflict highlights the precarious nature of Syrian-Israeli relations and the ongoing confrontations involving Hezbollah in the region. As military actions escalate, the humanitarian implications for civilians remain a pressing concern amidst the broader geopolitical tensions that characterize the Middle East.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
