In a presumed airstrike on the Syrian capital, four prominent members of the Iranian security forces perished.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran attributed the attack, in which it claimed several Syrian forces and four military advisers were slain, to Israel.
Israel is silent on the matter. It has conducted strikes against Iranian-affiliated targets in Syria for years.
The frequency of these assaults has escalated since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict after Hamas assaulted Israel on October 7.
Prominent members of the Revolutionary Guard, a significant military, political, and economic organisation in Iran, have maintained a presence in Syria ever since the civil war erupted there in 2011. Their duties have been to bolster President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the face of widespread opposition to it.
It is believed that the attack that occurred on Saturday occurred in the Mazzeh neighbourhood, located in the southwestern part of Damascus. This region contains a military airport, the United Nations headquarters in Damascus, embassies, and restaurants.
A resident informed AFP that they observed “explosions” and “a substantial plume of smoke” in the western Mazzeh region.
He further stated that the sound resembled a missile detonation, and minutes later, he heard the sound of ambulances.
Iran-Israel Tensions Escalate
Mehr reported that the IRGC’s Syria intelligence commander, his deputy, and two Guard men died in the attacks.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency cited a military source as saying that while some of the missiles had been thwarted, civilians were killed and injured in the attacks, which struck a residential structure, according to the source. Additionally, it was stated that structures were devastated.
A senior IRGC commander was slain last month in an area just outside Damascus by an apparent Israeli airstrike.
The Middle East has been placed under heightened security since October 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,300 people (most of whom were civilians) and the return of 240 hostages to Gaza. It is believed that over 132 detainees remain captive in the territory.
Since Israel’s military intervention in Gaza began, Hamas’ health ministry has reported almost 24,900 deaths. The stated objective of Israel’s air and ground operation in Gaza is the destruction of Hamas.
Concerns have been expressed regarding the potential for a more extensive war to ensue in the region, specifically between formidable adversaries Israel and Iran, and amid a succession of interconnected crises.
Iran-Pakistan Missile Exchange Fallout
Israel is targeting Hamas, a Palestinian organisation that receives Iranian support. It is also engaged in combat with Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, in Lebanon.
The United States and United Kingdom aircraft have struck the Houthis, an additional Iran-backed group in Yemen that has been engaging in ship attacks in the Red Sea, while Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria are also targeting US forces in the region.
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Following a missile exchange between Iran and Pakistan this week, concerns about escalation increased.
Iran acknowledged on Tuesday that it launched a missile and drone assault in southwestern Pakistan. This resulted in the deaths of two children, claiming that the organization was an “Iranian terrorist organization” in Pakistan.
Nine people were killed when Islamabad attacked “terrorist hideouts” in south-eastern Iran days later.
Despite maintaining their respective positions regarding the targeting of militant bases in other countries, both Iran and Pakistan, subsequently recalled their ambassadors from their respective capitals.
However, after discussions concluded, diplomatic relations were restored.
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