Syria Blames Israel for Fourth Attack in as Many Days; Two Killed

Syrian media reported that Israel staged airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Damascus early Tuesday, killing two civilians and causing some material damage. Damascus residents said strong explosions were heard in the capital and its southern suburbs as Syrian state media reported that the country’s air defenses were confronting “an Israeli aggression.”

State media, quoting an unnamed military official, said two civilians were killed in the strikes near Damascus and southern Syria, adding that some of the missiles were shot down by Syria air defenses before they reached their targets. They said that the strikes also caused some material damage.

Israel’s shadow war with Iran in Syria intensified over the past days with four alleged strikes on the Damascus area and the central province of Homs killing two Iranian military advisors since Friday. Hours after strikes on central Syria Sunday, the IDF said it shot down an “aircraft” that crossed from Syria into Israel’s airspace. The IDF said Iran appears to have been behind the drone that was shot down over Israeli airspace.

Israel has reportedly carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, including attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but it rarely acknowledges specific operations.

Israel says it targets bases of Iran-allied terror groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to support Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces. Along with airports, Israel has also targeted seaports in government-held areas in an apparent attempt to prevent Iranian arms shipments to terror groups backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah.