Syria: Unconfirmed reports of Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria November 24

Event

Syrian state media has reported that Israeli aircraft carried out strikes on targets south of Damascus and in Quneitra governorate in the Golan Heights late on Tuesday, November 24. State media states that there were no casualties and the strikes caused material damage only. No information regarding targets was immediately available. Israeli officials have not commented on the airstrikes. Israel maintains a policy of not commenting on alleged Israeli actions in Syria.

The alleged airstrikes come a week after Israeli aircraft targeted Iranian-linked warehouses, military complexes, and surface-to-air missile sites in the Golan Heights. Israeli officials claimed the strikes in a rare statement, saying they came in response to a failed Iranian attempt to lay mines near the Israeli-Syrian border.

Further airstrikes targeting government or Iranian-linked targets are likely in Syria in the medium term.

Context

The Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes into Syrian territory since the start of the civil war in 2011, many of which have targeted arms depots and military facilities allegedly receiving arms and fighters from Iran and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group. Having perceived an increasing Iranian presence in Syria, Israeli attacks have increased in their frequency over the past few months.

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.