Syria: Unconfirmed reports of suspected Israeli missile strikes in Damascus Governorate Oct. 30 /update 1

Event

Explosions have been reported in Damascus Governorate, Oct. 30. Syrian state media have indicated that local air defenses intercepted missiles fired from the direction of Israel. The target of the alleged strikes are military bases on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus. There have been no reports of casualties or damage. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident; however, it has regularly targeted military sites belonging to Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed fighters throughout Syria.

Military forces in northern Israel and Syria will almost certainly maintain a heightened level of readiness in the coming days. Further retaliatory strikes or exchanges of cross-border fire are possible.

Context

Tensions between Syria and Israel remain extremely high. Israel has repeatedly expressed concerns over the growing presence of Iranian proxies in Syria and aims to prevent a rapid build-up of Iranian-backed forces in the region. Since 2017, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched hundreds of preemptive strikes in Syria, targeting suspected Hizballah and Iranian-led fighters, weapons caches, and supply convoys.

Advice

Exercise caution and avoid all military sites in Syria. Heed the instructions of local security forces. If airstrikes, artillery fire, or warning sirens are reported in the general vicinity, report to the nearest bomb shelter until given further instructions by authorities.