Syria: Airstrikes in Damascus kills at least five people and wounds 15 others early Feb. 19 /update 1

Event

Suspected Israeli airstrikes have left at least five people dead and 15 others wounded in Damascus as of early Feb. 19. Syrian authorities reported earlier that the country's air defenses responded to missiles targeting locations in Damascus. The strikes allegedly targeted the Kafar Sousah neighborhood of Damascus. According to officials, most casualties were civilians.

Israeli airstrikes also reportedly targeted military sites belonging to Iran and the Syrian government near the Damascus International Airport (DAM) and Sitt Zaynab and al-Kiswah areas.

Military forces in northern Israel and Syria will almost certainly maintain a heightened security posture over the coming days. Additional airstrikes, retaliatory attacks, and exchanges of cross-border fire cannot be ruled out over the short term.

Context

Tensions between Syria and Israel remain extremely high. Israel has repeatedly expressed concerns about Iranian proxies in southwestern Syria and aims to prevent a build-up of Iran-backed forces in the region. Since 2017, the IDF has launched hundreds of preemptive strikes in Syria, targeting suspected Hizballah and Iran-led fighters, weapons caches, and supply convoys, primarily in the country's southwestern governorates.

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, take cover in the nearest bomb shelter and remain there until given further instructions by authorities.