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Escalating Tensions: Israel Strikes Damascus and Homs Amid Regional Unrest
In a significant escalation of military actions, Israel has conducted air strikes targeting the Syrian capital, Damascus, and a military site near Homs. The Syrian Ministry of Defence reported that the strikes occurred on Thursday, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to seven others. The attacks specifically hit the Kafr Sousa neighborhood in central Damascus and a facility in the Homs countryside, causing what officials described as "material damage," although further details were not disclosed.
Witnesses in Damascus reported hearing explosions following the air strikes, which included an attack on a residential building in Kafr Sousa. Consistent with its usual protocol, Israel has not commented on these specific operations. This military action coincides with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the region, where he is advocating for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Israel has long targeted Iranian-affiliated sites within Syria, but the frequency and intensity of these strikes have notably increased since the October 7 assault by Hamas in southern Israel. Syrian state media previously reported an incident involving a guided missile strike on a vehicle in Damascus, which Israeli military sources confirmed resulted in the death of a Hezbollah commander linked to arms transfers from Iran.
Earlier this month, an Israeli strike on Latakia, a Mediterranean port city, injured at least two civilians and ignited fires. According to data compiled by Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), Israel has executed over 220 air and artillery strikes in Syria since last October.
The most prominent attack occurred in April when Israeli jets targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, resulting in multiple fatalities among members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Geir Pedersen, the United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, recently warned that the country is on the brink of a "military, humanitarian and economic storm," exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Pedersen highlighted that recent months have witnessed an unprecedented pace of Israeli air strikes across Syria, particularly impacting central Damascus. In light of these developments, Blinken's diplomatic efforts aim to mitigate further escalation amid fears of retaliation following Iranian missile attacks.
As tensions continue to rise in this volatile region, the international community watches closely for any signs of broader conflict or potential pathways to peace.