Israeli Strikes Target Syrian Army Positions Amid Tensions with Iran

Beirut: Israeli airstrikes on Friday targeted a Syrian army position in the country’s south, according to Syria’s government and a monitoring group. The strikes, reported by Syrian state media, hit air defence sites in the southern region, causing material damage, as confirmed by the Syrian defence ministry.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel targeted an army radar position in the southern province of Daraa, which had detected Israeli planes entering Syrian airspace. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory, noted the strikes coincided with increased Israeli air force activity over Daraa.

Israeli military actions in Syria have been frequent since the onset of the civil war in 2011, primarily targeting the Syrian army and Iran-backed fighters. The recent escalation follows heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Reports of explosions in central Iran early Friday were attributed by US officials to an Israeli attack. Three explosions near a military base in Isfahan province were reported by Iran’s Fars news agency, with IRNA stating minimal damage.

The latest Israeli strikes come in the wake of an unprecedented drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel, launched in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran’s Damascus consulate. Israel has warned of retaliatory measures following the April 13 attack.