Syria: Suspected Israeli airstrikes on Damascus May 10

Event

On the morning of Thursday, May 10 (local time), Syrian media reported that suspected Israeli planes had conducted airstrikes on Damascus. According to local sources, multiple targets, including the Mezzeh military airport, were hit in the strikes. Details on the situation are still emerging.

On the evening of Wednesday, May 9, Israeli media reported that an estimated 20 missiles had been launched into the Golan Heights, near the border with Syria. Several of the missiles were reportedly intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials, the missiles likely originated from Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) positions in Syria.

Further Israeli strikes on Syrian and Iranian positions in Syria, as well as well as additional Iranian strikes on the Golan Heights are possible in the coming hours and days.

Context

On Tuesday, May 8, suspected Israeli airstrikes on an Iran-linked military post in the Al-Kiswah area (south of Damascus) killed at least 15 pro-Syrian government fighters. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least eight of those killed in the strikes were members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Syria remains enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.