Israel has intensified its airstrikes against Syria in recent days, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH). The organization reported a surge in attacks, particularly in the eastern region of the country, following the decline of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“Israel carried out airstrikes against arms depots and positions belonging to the ousted regime and Iranian-backed groups in Deir Ezzor province,” said Rami Abdel Rahmane, director of the OSDH.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli forces launched three airstrikes targeting a government security compound and research center in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Israeli officials stated that the facility was being used by Iran to develop missiles, according to two regional security sources who spoke to Reuters.
These airstrikes mark a continuation of Israel’s policy of targeting Iranian-linked assets and weapons shipments within syria.Israel views Iran’s presence in the region as a notable threat to its national security.
Damascus, Syria was rocked by a series of Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, targeting key military installations and infrastructure within the city.The strikes, which reportedly caused significant damage, have raised concerns about the potential for advanced weaponry falling into the hands of rebel groups.
According to sources, the strikes hit the main customs headquarters and buildings adjacent to military intelligence offices within a security compound in the Kafr Sousa neighborhood.The research center located within the compound was also reportedly damaged.
One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the strikes targeted infrastructure used to store sensitive military data, equipment, and guided missile parts. This has fueled Israeli concerns that chemical weapons and other banned munitions, previously held by the Syrian government, could now fall into the hands of Islamist rebels who have recently gained ground in Damascus.
The strikes also targeted at least seven locations in southwestern Syria, including the Khalkhala air base, north of the town of Suwayda.
“Israel also struck at least seven targets in southwestern Syria, including the Khalkhala air base, north of the town of Suwayda,” the source added.
These latest airstrikes mark a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Syria, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region and the potential for further conflict.
in a significant progress, Syrian government forces withdrew from a key military base near Damascus overnight, leaving behind a substantial arsenal of weaponry, according to military sources.
The abandoned base, located in the vicinity of the Mezzeh military airport southwest of the capital, reportedly housed large stockpiles of missiles, air defence systems, and ammunition. these were the primary targets of recent airstrikes that have rocked the area.
“The Syrian army left behind large stockpiles of missiles, air defense batteries and munitions which were the targets of the strikes,” the sources revealed.
Further strikes were also reported near the Mezzeh military airport, targeting additional munitions depots. The identity of the forces behind the airstrikes remains unconfirmed.
This withdrawal and the subsequent targeting of military assets suggest a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict in Syria.
With facts from Agence France-Presse and Reuters
## Israel steps Up Airstrikes Against Iran-Linked Targets in Syria
Amidst the ongoing instability in Syria, tensions have reached a boiling point as Israel intensifies its airstrikes against Iranian-backed forces and government installations within the war-torn nation.
In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor of world-today-news.com, Sarah Thompson, discusses the latest developments with Dr. Michael Cohen, a leading expert on Middle eastern security and international relations.
### escalation of Israeli Airstrikes: A new Phase in the Conflict?
**Sarah Thompson:** Dr. Cohen,we’ve seen a meaningful increase in Israeli airstrikes within syria recently. Can you shed some light on this latest escalation and what might be driving it?
**Dr. Michael Cohen:** Absolutely. We’re witnessing a clear intensification of Israel’s campaign against Iranian influence within Syria. These airstrikes, targeting military assets, depots, and research facilities believed to be linked to Iran, signal a strong determination by Israel to prevent the establishment of a permanent Iranian military presence on its doorstep.
### Targeting Iranian Arms and Missile Growth
** sarah Thompson:** There have been reports that some of these strikes specifically aimed at halting the development or transfer of missiles. how serious is the threat posed by Iranian missile capabilities in the region?
**Dr. Michael Cohen:** Israel perceives Iran’s missile program as an existential threat. The potential for these missiles to reach Israeli territory, potentially carrying conventional or even unconventional warheads, is deeply concerning. Israeli intelligence suggests Iran continues to try and transfer advanced missile technology to its proxies in Lebanon and Syria, further exacerbating this threat.
### Concerns Over Weaponry Falling into the Wrong Hands
** Sarah Thompson:** With the syrian government’s control weakened, there are growing concerns about the potential for weapons, including chemical weapons, falling into the hands of extremist groups.
**Dr. Michael Cohen:** This is indeed a severe risk. The disintegration of the Syrian state creates a dangerous vacuum that could allow rebel factions, some with extremist ideologies, to acquire stockpiles of advanced weaponry, including potentially dangerous chemical agents.
### The Wider Geopolitical Implications
**Sarah Thompson:** How do these airstrikes fit into the larger geopolitical landscape of the Middle East?
**Dr. Michael Cohen:** These strikes are a microcosm of the broader regional power struggle between Iran and Israel. It highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries that define the Middle East. The conflict in Syria has become a proxy battlefield for these competing interests, and the potential for escalation into a wider regional conflict remains a serious concern.
**Sarah Thompson:** Dr. Cohen, thank you for sharing your insights on this complex and rapidly evolving situation.
*With additional reporting from Agence France-Presse and Reuters*
