In a dramatic escalation of tensions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, an Israeli missile strike targeted a high-security zone in Damascus, resulting in the death of five individuals.
The strike, reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, specifically aimed at a four-storey building where leaders aligned with Iran were reportedly holding a meeting.
The British-based monitoring group, known for its sources inside Syria, highlighted that the targeted neighborhood housed leaders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and pro-Iran Palestinian factions.
"They were for sure targeting senior members" of these groups, stated Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Observatory.
The mid-morning attack, which caused a significant plume of smoke to rise into the sky, was confirmed by Syrian state media.
The official SANA news agency reported that the strike took place in the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus, characterising it as an "Israeli aggression" on a residential building. The agency did not specify whether there were casualties.
An AFP correspondent at the scene described the aftermath, with the destroyed building cordoned off and emergency response teams present. Civil defense teams were actively searching for survivors under the rubble of the collapsed structure.
The Mazzeh area, where the strike occurred, is not only a high-security zone but also houses the United Nations' headquarters, embassies, and restaurants. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing a large cloud of smoke, prompting the deployment of ambulances and firefighters to the scene.
Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian territory over the past decade, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Syrian army positions. However, the frequency of attacks has intensified since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7.
In December, an Israeli airstrike killed a senior general with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict dynamics. Israel has consistently expressed its determination not to allow Iran, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, to expand its presence in the region.
