Israeli strike in Syria’s Aleppo kills pro-Iranian adviser and fighters

According to Iranian media and a war monitor, a fatal Israeli strike on Syria’s northern city of Aleppo occurred early Monday, resulting in losses among pro-Iranian militias.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency announced the death of Saeed Abyar, an adviser with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Tasnim, “During last night’s attack by the Zionist regime on Aleppo, Saeed Abyar, one of the IRGC advisers in Syria, was martyred.”

Simultaneously, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a higher fatality toll: “The death toll of the Israeli strike on a factory in Hayyan, western Aleppo province, has risen to 16 pro-Iran group members, including Syrian and foreign fighters.” The Observatory first reported twelve fatalities.

According to the Observatory’s findings, pro-Iranian gangs made up of both local and foreign militants wield tremendous power in government-controlled Hayyan.

Israel has conducted periodic military operations in Syria since the start of the country’s civil war, typically targeting army installations and Iran-backed rebels, particularly those associated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah party.

The latest surge in Israeli strikes followed heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which were precipitated by an unprecedented onslaught launched by the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist organization on Oct. 7.

However, these strikes appear to have halted until an April 1 incident in which the Iranian embassy in Damascus was struck, an act blamed by Israel. This incident heightened regional tensions and caused Iran to launch its first direct retaliation against Israel.

While Israel normally does not comment on specific attacks in Syria, it has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Iran to grow its position in the region.

According to a statement released by Syria’s defense ministry, “after midnight…the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the southeast of Aleppo, targeting some positions” near the city, resulting in deaths and material damage.

The Syrian crisis, which began in 2011 following the government’s assault on anti-government protesters, has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions more.