In a recent surge of violence, Israeli airstrikes pummeled military targets in western Syria, resulting in the death of 16 individuals and injuries to dozens. The assault, which took place late Sunday evening, marks one of the deadliest attacks as reported by Syrian authorities since a similar incident involving the Iranian embassy in Damascus earlier in April.
According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, citing military sources, the airstrikes targeted multiple military sites in Syria’s central region around 11:20 p.m. local time. However, specific details on the sites hit were not disclosed. Despite Israel’s history of silence on such operations, the action aligns with its ongoing strategy to neutralize perceived Iranian threats within the area.
The report also mentioned that Syrian air defenses managed to intercept some incoming missiles during the raid. On the health front, local medical sources informed SANA that 36 individuals sustained injuries, with six suffering serious conditions.
Intelligence insights from regional operatives suggested that a significant military research center near Masyaf, reputed for chemical weapons production, was among the targets. The facility is believed to have hosted Iranian military experts. Nevertheless, a high-ranking military source familiar with the situation refuted claims of it being a chemical weapons site, describing it instead as a conventional Syrian research facility.
The Syrian foreign ministry sharply criticized the attack, denouncing it as a stark act of aggression which also resulted in material damage to several residential precincts.
Internationally, the incident drew condemnation from Iran, with a foreign ministry spokesperson branding it a “criminal attack” and denying any assaults on centers under Iranian supervision.
Local authorities also had to contend with fires triggered by the airstrikes, which required intervention from firefighting teams.
The airspace over Syria remains tense as Israel continues its vigilant stance against Iranian influence and activity, which it views as a direct threat, especially following the heightened hostilities post the recent attacks from Gaza.
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