Israeli Strikes Kill Syrian Soldier, Injure 7 Others: Syrian Defense Ministry

Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus and a military site near Homs early Thursday, killing one Syrian soldier and wounding seven others, according to the Syrian defense ministry. The strikes hit Kafr Sousa, a central Damascus neighborhood, and a military installation in the Homs countryside. The ministry confirmed the attacks caused material damage but did not provide further details.

Earlier reports from Syrian state media mentioned explosions in Damascus, following an Israeli attack on a residential building in Kafr Sousa. Israel, which rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria, has been conducting airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in the country for years. These raids have intensified since the October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The ongoing Israeli air campaign aims to limit Iranian influence in Syria, as Tehran has supported the Syrian government with military and logistical aid during the country’s civil war. Israel considers Iran’s presence in Syria a direct threat to its national security, prompting frequent airstrikes on weapons shipments, military sites, and facilities linked to Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah.

In response to the latest strikes, the Syrian government condemned the attacks, calling them violations of its sovereignty. Syrian air defense systems were activated during the strikes, but reports did not indicate how effective they were in intercepting the Israeli missiles. Over the years, Syria’s air defenses have struggled to counter the advanced Israeli air force, which uses sophisticated technology to bypass these systems.

The increased frequency of Israeli strikes is seen as part of a broader regional response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Analysts suggest that Israel’s strikes on Syria serve to weaken Iran’s capacity to support groups hostile to Israel, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian militants.

Israel has been clear in its stance against allowing Iran to establish a permanent military foothold in Syria. Its airstrikes are seen as preemptive measures to disrupt Iranian plans and prevent the transfer of advanced weapons, including missiles and drones, to forces close to its borders.

As the conflict in Syria continues, Israeli airstrikes are likely to persist, heightening tensions between the regional powers. Syrian officials have urged the international community to condemn these attacks, but Israel maintains that its actions are necessary for its security.