20 Jan 2024 | 12:06 PM UTC
Syria: Suspected airstrike targets Damascus, Jan. 20 /update 1
A suspected Israeli air strike targeted a building in the Al-Mezzeh area of Damascus, Syria, Jan. 20. At least four people were killed.
An explosion occurred at a three-story building in the Al-Mazzeh area of Damascus, Jan. 20. Syrian media and Iran have accused Israel of conducting an airstrike. Israel has not commented on the apparent attack. Iran has confirmed that four members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in addition to an unspecified number of Syrian nationals.
Emergency services are likely to deploy to the impact site. Disruptions to ground travel are likely near the impacted site. Further incidents are likely.
Avoid the impacted site. 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 further instructions are given by authorities. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.
Tensions between Syria, Iran, and Israel remain high and the recent attack will serve to further exacerbate these strains. Israel has repeatedly expressed concerns about Iranian proxies in Syria and aims to prevent a build-up of Iran-backed forces in the region. Since 2017, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has launched hundreds of preemptive strikes in Syria, targeting suspected Hizballah and Iran-led fighters, weapons caches, and supply convoys.
