Civilian Casualties in Damascus: Syria Calls for Global Action Against Israeli Aggression

Syria's Foreign Ministry has condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in the vicinity of Damascus, calling for immediate action from the United Nations to address what it describes as "Israeli aggression" against civilian targets.

Israeli airstrikes targeting civilian sites in Syria spark calls for international intervention.

• Date of Incident: On November 4, 2024, Syrian state media reported that Israeli warplanes conducted an assault around 5:18 PM local time, resulting in two fatalities and five injuries, as confirmed by a human rights organization.

• Targeted Locations: According to SANA, Syria's state-run news agency, the military reported that the airstrikes targeted several civilian sites south of the capital, leading to significant material damage. The Israeli airstrikes involved multiple strikes in the Sayyidah Zaynab region, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Damascus.

• Initial Target: The first attack targeted the Kaou Sudan junction, which was reportedly crowded with individuals displaced from recent conflicts in Lebanon.

• Further Strikes: Subsequent strikes targeted a hotel and nearby agricultural land.

• Casualties Reported: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that two Hezbollah members lost their lives, and several others sustained serious injuries due to the assaults on agricultural sites.

• Israeli Air Force Acknowledgment: In an unusual acknowledgment, the Israeli Air Force claimed early on November 5 that its operations had struck "targets" associated with Hezbollah's intelligence operations within Syria. "Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters operates a branch in Syria, which involves collection and assessment systems," the Israeli Air Force stated on social media.

• Context of Attacks: The air force characterized the strikes as part of ongoing efforts to weaken Hezbollah's military intelligence capabilities, linking them to similar actions taken in Lebanon.

• Sayyidah Zaynab's Significance: Sayyidah Zaynab, a notable Hezbollah stronghold and home to a significant Shia shrine, has been a frequent target of Israeli airstrikes due to the presence of Hezbollah members in the area, especially those who have relocated from Lebanon.

• Historical Context: For years, Israel has conducted numerous strikes against various targets in Syria, often without claiming responsibility, and has escalated these operations since the onset of hostilities involving Hamas on October 7.

In response to the strikes, Syria's Foreign Ministry issued a strong denunciation, labeling the Israeli missile attacks on civilian areas as "criminal." It urged the international community to take decisive action against these aggressions and ensure accountability for the perpetrators. “The Syrian Arab Republic condemns the aggression perpetrated by the Zionist entity this evening,” the ministry's statement declared, calling on UN member states to swiftly intervene to halt further aggression and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.