Israeli drone strikes near Damascus have killed six Syrian soldiers, Syria's government reported, amid a series of attacks this week. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a breach of international law and sovereignty.
Further strikes were reported on Wednesday, following which Israeli forces executed an airborne landing at a former military site in the vicinity, as cited by both international and Syrian state media. There are conflicting accounts regarding the activities of the Israeli forces during their landing.
Israel's military declined to comment on the foreign reports, but Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted on social media that Israeli forces are operating continuously in various combat zones to ensure national security.
Syria's ongoing conflict has led Israel to conduct numerous strikes throughout the nation to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of extremist factions. According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel has executed 95 operations in this year alone, comprising 85 air strikes and 10 land operations.
This week's assaults coincided with Syrian troops dealing with surveillance devices discovered during a tour near al-Kiswah. The air strikes continued near the site where Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was attending a fair in Damascus.
Israeli aircraft reportedly conducted several raids, including an airdrop effort, although the specifics remain unclear. Eyewitness accounts suggest the Israeli operation lasted more than two hours.
The recent attacks and subsequent increase in military activities highlight the continued animosity between the two nations, which are currently involved in deconfliction dialogue to manage tensions. Previous incidents this year have seen Israel targeting Syrian government forces, citing concerns over security in the region.
