Israeli Strikes Hit Syrian Military Sites, War Monitor Reports

A Syrian war monitor reported that early on Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting military sites in Damascus and its surrounding areas. These strikes are the latest in a series following the fall of Bashar al-Assad almost a week ago.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, stated that the Israeli airstrikes destroyed a scientific institute and other military facilities in Barzeh, located in northern Damascus. Additionally, a military airport in the outskirts of the capital was also targeted. The Observatory noted that the strikes hit Scud ballistic missile warehouses, launchers in the Qalamoun area, and various rockets, depots, and tunnels under the mountain.

The Observatory detailed that multiple rounds of bombardment aimed at military sites of the former regime forces were intended to dismantle the remaining capabilities of the future Syrian army. On Friday, Israel also targeted a missile base atop Mount Qasyun in Damascus, an airport in the southern Sweida province, and defense and research labs in Masyaf, situated in Hama province.

Since the fall of Assad, Israel has carried out numerous strikes on Syrian military sites, targeting chemical weapons stores and air defenses. In a controversial move condemned by the international community, Israel seized a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone on the Syrian Golan Heights shortly after rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took control of Damascus.

On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concerns over extensive violations of Syrian sovereignty and the Israeli airstrikes in the country, as conveyed by his spokesperson.