Five Syrian Soldiers Killed in Israeli Strike on Damascus

An Israeli strike on Damascus (AFP File Photo)
An Israeli strike on Damascus (AFP File Photo)
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Five Syrian Soldiers Killed in Israeli Strike on Damascus

An Israeli strike on Damascus (AFP File Photo)
An Israeli strike on Damascus (AFP File Photo)

An Israeli airstrike near Damascus airport killed five Syrian soldiers on Saturday, Syrian state media said.

"The aggression led to the death of five soldiers and some material damage," Syria's official news agency Sana quoted a military source as saying.

The strike carried out at approximately 00:45 am (2145 GMT Friday) came "from the northeastern direction of Lake Tiberias, targeting Damascus airport and some points south of Damascus," it added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor confirmed that the strikes killed five Syrian soldiers, and said two Iran-backed fighters were also killed, AFP reported.

The monitor, which relies on a wide network of sources inside Syria, said Israel targeted sites where Iran-backed groups are stationed near Damascus airport and in the Damascus countryside.

An Israeli strike in the countryside around the capital Damascus and south of coastal Tartus province killed three soldiers last month.

In June, Israeli airstrikes put Damascus airport out of service for nearly two weeks.

In the past month, Israeli airstrikes have twice targeted Aleppo airport.

The rights monitor said at the time that those strikes had targeted weapons depots belonging to Iran-backed militias.

Since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against its northern neighbor, targeting government troops as well as allied Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters.

While Israel rarely comments on individual strikes, it has acknowledged carrying out hundreds. 

It says its air campaign is necessary to stop arch-foe Iran from gaining a foothold on its doorstep.



Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
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Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a phone call on Friday with Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Mikati's office posted on X, and said that he received an invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria to discuss common files.

Sharaa also affirmed that Syrian authorities took the necessary measures to restore calm on the border between the two countries, the post on X said.

Lebanon's army said Friday that gunbattles erupted on the Lebanese-Syrian border when Syrians attempted to reopen an illegal border crossing using a bulldozer, wounding at least five Lebanese soldiers.
The Lebanese army said its personnel fired warning shots, prompting the Syrians to open fire, wounding one soldier. After the shooting, army units in the area implemented strict security measures and the episode was under investigation, the army said.
Later Friday, the Lebanese army said there were renewed exchanges of fire and four more army personnel were injured.
Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto leadership under the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced new entry regulations for Lebanese citizens. Lebanese travelers must secure a residence permit or a Syrian sponsor and provide proof of funds worth $2,000 and a hotel booking. Previously, Lebanese citizens were allowed to enter with just a Lebanese ID card.