Syria: State media claims Israeli airstrikes target site in Damascus countryside and inflict some material damage early March 31 /update 1

Event

Syrian state media has asserted that Israeli airstrikes targeted an unspecified site in the Damascus countryside early March 31. State media has further claimed that Syrian air defenses intercepted several missiles, while conceding that the alleged attack resulted in some material damage. Syrian authorities and state media may report additional damage and casualties over the coming hours. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not immediately acknowledge the incident, alleged Israeli airstrikes have regularly targeted military bases across Syria.

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

The alleged March 31 attack is the second assault in the Damascus area that Syrian state media has attributed to Israeli forces within 24 hours. The other alleged Israeli attack reportedly wounded two soldiers and caused material damage in the capital early March 30.

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.