The Syrian capital, Damascus, was rocked by a series of Israeli missile strikes in the early hours of Monday, causing casualties and significant damage. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the strikes resulted in the deaths of four Syrian soldiers and left several others wounded.
The attack, which occurred around 2:20 am, originated from the Golan Heights and targeted various sites within Damascus. Syrian air defense systems sprang into action, intercepting multiple incoming projectiles, leading to explosive eruptions above the city skyline. While some projectiles were neutralized, the impact of the assault was deeply felt, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Israeli military's targeting of Damascus is not new, as similar strikes have occurred with semi-regularity. Just last month, on July 19, a substantial missile attack on Damascus led to the deaths of pro-government fighters and multiple injuries.
In fact, there have been around 20 Israeli attacks on Syria this year alone. Previous attacks have targeted sites such as Hezbollah warehouses.
The tensions have extended beyond Israel-Syria relations. In the skies over Syria, dangerous confrontations between Russian fighter jets and American drones have sparked concerns of US-Russia tensions.
In the northeastern part of Syria, pro-Iranian militias have been exerting pressure on US forces, impacting crucial resources for both Damascus and the local population.
Early indicators suggest that Syrian and Russian forces might be planning a significant operation to retake the Idlib province from Western-backed jihadist groups.
Despite claims of counter-ISIS operations, the engagement of the United States in Syria seems to be geared toward weakening the Tehran-Damascus-Hezbollah axis.