Israel bombs ‘military targets’ in southern Syria, outside Damascus

The Israeli military launched airstrikes on targets in southern Syria and on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, claiming the targets were military bases and command centers. This airstrike has heightened tensions in the region and drawn international attention. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging restraint from all parties involved.

According to local residents, security sources, and Syrian state television, Israeli warplanes struck the town of Kiswah, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Damascus, and the southern province of Daraa. Residents of Damascus reported hearing planes flying low over the capital, followed by a series of explosions. The reports indicate a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

The Israeli military stated that it had struck "military targets in southern Syria, including command centers and several locations where weapons were stored," but did not specify the exact locations. A spokesperson for Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The Air Force is carrying out powerful strikes in southern Syria, which is part of our new policy to stabilize southern Syria – the message is clear: we will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon." The statement added: "Any attempt by the Syrian regime forces and terrorist organizations in that country to establish a foothold in the security zone in southern Syria will be met with artillery fire." This firm stance underscores Israel's commitment to its security interests.

The bombing occurred hours after Syria condemned Israel's intrusion into the country's south and demanded its withdrawal. According to the closing statement of a national dialogue summit, organized by the new Syrian government to outline the country's political roadmap after President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December, Jordan's King Abdullah, after meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed Shala'a in Amman, said he condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria. The Palestinian organization Hamas also condemned the airstrikes in "the strongest terms," calling them a "blatant attack on Syrian sovereignty" and part of Israel's continued aggression against Arab countries. These condemnations highlight the widespread regional disapproval of Israel's actions.

Kuttaba Idlibi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council focusing on Syria, said the attack complicates the new Syrian government's efforts to achieve national unity. He pointed out that the airstrikes come as the National Dialogue Summit for Political Transition in Syria faces challenges, particularly in negotiations with the southern Druze community and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast. "The attack on Damascus will only delay the conclusion of such agreements, as forces in northeastern and southern Syria will feel more empowered to seek deals, even military support, with external powers to increase their leverage in negotiations with Damascus," Idlibi told Al Jazeera. This suggests that the airstrikes could have long-term consequences for the stability and future of Syria.