Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Syria. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Oct 26, 2024 11:20 AM
In the early hours of Saturday, Israeli airstrikes targeted military facilities in central and southern Syria, as reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA.
Key details
Syrian air defense forces intercepted missiles launched from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon, managing to shoot down several of them.
There were reports of explosions occurring near the capital, Damascus.
For years, Israel has conducted strikes against targets linked to Iran in Syria, and these operations have increased significantly since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli soil.
The Israeli military also announced that it was striking military sites in Iran, with Iranian media reporting several explosions.
A general view of Tehran after several explosions were heard in Tehran on October 26, 2024. – Israel announced the launch of “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran on October 26, 2024, in retaliation for attacks against it, as Iranian state media reported several explosions around the capital. Iranian state TV said October 26, 2024, “strong explosions” were heard around the capital Tehran, without specifying the cause of the blasts. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)Part of the city skyline is pictured at dawn after several explosions were heard in Tehran on October 26, 2024. – Israel announced the launch of “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran on October 26 in retaliation for Iranian attacks, as an AFP journalist in Tehran reported hearing several explosions. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by – has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [October 26] instead of [October 24]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.
Why it matters?
This escalation underscores the persistent tensions in the region and highlights Israel’s ongoing efforts to counter Iranian influence and military activities in Syria.
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Syria. (AFP Photo)
