Iranian Guard Members Among 3 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Damascus

In recent developments south of Damascus, Israeli air raids resulted in the deaths of three pro-Iran fighters, including an advisor from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the casualties included an Iranian and an Iraqi member of pro-Iran groups.

The targets of these strikes were a Hezbollah-operated site on the road to the Sayyida Zeinab district and another location near Damascus airport, previously occupied by pro-Iran groups. According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, the deceased Iranian advisor was identified as Saeed Alidadi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Syrian state media acknowledged damage from the air strikes but did not report any casualties. In line with its standard practice, the Israeli military did not comment on these specific attacks.

Israel has conducted numerous air strikes in Syria during the country’s civil war, mainly targeting Iran-backed forces and the Syrian army. The frequency of these strikes has increased since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. Israel’s strategy aims to limit Iran’s influence and presence in Syria.

This latest incident follows another recent strike on Monday in the Sayyida Zeinab area, where missiles hit a base housing Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah fighters, killing at least eight. Previous Israeli strikes have also targeted high-ranking Iranian military officials in Syria, including a senior general in Sayyida Zeinab in December and the Revolutionary Guards’ spy chief in Damascus in January.

Iran, a crucial supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, insists that its forces in Syria are solely advisory and are present at the request of the Syrian government.