Syria: Airstrikes reportedly target sites in Homs Governorate late Oct. 13

Event

Suspected Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted sites in Homs Governorate late Oct. 13. Syrian state media claimed the air attack targeted a telecommunications tower and other adjacent sites near Palmyra, killing one Syrian soldier and wounding three others. Other, unconfirmed sources conflictingly asserted that the airstrikes targeted Iran-backed militia fighters at Homs Governorate's T-4 (Tiyas) Airbase, located about 60 km (38 miles) west of Palmyra.

Military forces in northern Israel and Syria will almost certainly maintain a heightened readiness level in the coming days. Further airstrikes, retaliatory attacks, and exchanges of cross-border fire are possible 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 Israel Defense Forces (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.