02 Feb 2024 | 10:32 AM UTC
Syria: Suspected airstrike targets south of Damascus, Feb. 2
Suspected Israeli airstrike targets area south of Damascus, Syria, Feb. 2; at least one person killed.
A suspected Israeli airstrike struck targets south of Damascus early Feb. 2. The exact location is unclear. Syrian state media reported that several projectiles were intercepted. Iranian media has reported that a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed. Both Syrian and Iranian media have attributed the airstrikes to Israel. Israel has not commented on the attack.
Emergency services are likely to deploy to the impact site. Disruptions to ground travel 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 are 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.
