Israeli strikes injured Syrian soldiers, according to state media reports.
According to the “state news agency SANA,” Israel conducted air strikes near Damascus, the capital of Syria, on July 19. The attack occurred around 00:25 at dawn and involved missile bursts from the north of the occupied Syrian Golan. The strikes targeted specific positions in the vicinity of Damascus and resulted in the injuries of two Syrian soldiers. Syrian air defence systems managed to intercept most of the missiles, but some caused material damage.
The military positions near the airport in the town of Dimas and the Beirut-Damascus highway, where elite members of the Syrian army are stationed, were among the targets of the Israeli strikes. Additionally, warehouses belonging to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant group were also reportedly hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor with extensive sources in the country, confirmed that this incident marked the 20th Israeli raid in Syria this year.
Israel has been conducting air strikes in Syria for over a decade, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces, Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army positions. These strikes have been part of Israel’s strategy to counter Iran’s influence in the region. While Israel rarely acknowledges its specific actions in Syria, it has consistently expressed its opposition to Iran’s attempts to establish a permanent military presence near its borders. Israel considers Iran a major threat and has repeatedly stated its commitment to preventing Iran from expanding its footprint in Syria.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has created a complex and volatile situation, with multiple regional and international actors involved. Israel’s military actions further contribute to the already challenging dynamics of the war. The potential for escalation and retaliatory responses remains, highlighting the delicate nature of the situation. The international community continues to closely monitor developments in the region and work towards finding a sustainable resolution to the “Syrian conflict.”