 "Israeli strikes Sunday evening targeting five military sites in central Syria killed at least five people. X")
Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, reports are emerging that Israel conducted strikes in central Syria killing at least 7 people and injuring 15 others. According to Syrian news agency SANA, the Israeli strikes targeted the Masyaf area, west of Hama, which is thought to be used as a base for Iranian forces and pro-Iranian militias.
The hospital director in the Masyaf area confirmed the death toll and stated that some of the injured victims are in serious condition, fearing a rise in the casualties. “The number of victims of the Israeli aggression on several sites near Masyaf comes to five deaths and 19 wounded, some of them seriously,” said Faysal Haidar, the director of a government hospital at Masyaf. According to SANA, two more people died in the attack, following the statement.
It is pertinent to note that the Masyaf area has been repeatedly targeted in recent years and most of the attacks in the region have been widely attributed to Israel. The Syrian region is home to the Scientific Studies and Research Center, known as CERS or SSRC. In the past, Israel has claimed that Iranian forces use the centre to manufacture precision surface-to-surface missiles.
Will Israel take the responsibility?
Two regional intelligence sources told SANA, that the Israeli strikes prompted two fires in the area, which firefighters were working to extinguish.
Since the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israel has been accused of escalating its strikes on Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria. The Jewish nation was also accused of attacking Syrian army air defences and some Syrian forces. There has been no immediate comment from Israel, which typically does not comment on specific reports of strikes in Syria.
In April this year, Israel was accused of conducting the most high-profile attack in Syria since the war. Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran’s embassy in Damascus. Iran eventually issued a statement over the matter and said that the strike killed several military advisers including three senior commanders. In retaliation, Tehran unleashed a barrage of missiles at Israel, most of which were blocked by the Jewish nation’s air defence system.
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More ShortsWith inputs from agencies.