Airstrike Kills Several Pro-Iran Fighters in Eastern Syria

Syrians walk past buildings heavily damaged during Syria's war, in the central city of Homs, April 28, 2020. (AFP)
Syrians walk past buildings heavily damaged during Syria's war, in the central city of Homs, April 28, 2020. (AFP)
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Airstrike Kills Several Pro-Iran Fighters in Eastern Syria

Syrians walk past buildings heavily damaged during Syria's war, in the central city of Homs, April 28, 2020. (AFP)
Syrians walk past buildings heavily damaged during Syria's war, in the central city of Homs, April 28, 2020. (AFP)

An airstrike on a vehicle in eastern Syria near the porous border with Iraq killed at least five fighters from pro-Iran units, two security sources in the region told Reuters.

One of the sources said the strike was carried out by a drone, but could not specify which military the drone belonged to. The second source said it targeted fighters as they changed shifts at a checkpoint.

Swathes of Syria's eastern border with Iraq are controlled by armed groups aligned with Iran and who fought on behalf of Syria's armed forces throughout the country's civil war.

They include Iraqi armed groups that also control the Iraqi side of the frontier.

The border is now a smuggling hub, with weapons brought across from Iraq into Syria and other goods flowing into Iraq.

The US and Israel have both carried out strikes in Syria against Iran-aligned factions.



Israel Continues to Intimidate Beirut Residents

Members of Hamas' Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades mourn a commander assassinated by Israel in Sidon on Friday (AFP)
Members of Hamas' Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades mourn a commander assassinated by Israel in Sidon on Friday (AFP)
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Israel Continues to Intimidate Beirut Residents

Members of Hamas' Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades mourn a commander assassinated by Israel in Sidon on Friday (AFP)
Members of Hamas' Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades mourn a commander assassinated by Israel in Sidon on Friday (AFP)

Israeli warplanes caused alarm in Lebanon by breaking the sound barrier twice over Beirut and other areas on Saturday evening. The loud booms shattered windows in the southern suburbs of the city.

The planes flew over the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, which has been vacant since former President Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.

Israel’s increased overflights come as Hezbollah prepares to retaliate for the killing of its commander Fouad Shukr in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah officials have stated they will respond regardless of ongoing prisoner exchange talks in the Gaza Strip.

MP Ali Fayyad warned that the group will take action against what it sees as a violation of red lines with Shukr’s assassination.