Syria: Suspected Israeli airstrikes reported near Damascus late March 16

Event

Syrian air defenses are responding to suspected Israeli airstrikes in the vicinity of Damascus late March 16. 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. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

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) have 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.