Israeli Strikes on Syria Result in At Least 16 Deaths, According to Syrian State Media

AMMAN/CAIRO – Israeli airstrikes in western Syria resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and injured dozens more overnight, according to reports from Syrian state media on Monday. This incident marks the deadliest Israeli attack reported by Syrian authorities since the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus was struck in April.

There has been no immediate response from Israeli officials, as is typical regarding reports of such strikes in Syria. The Syrian state news agency, citing a military source, stated that the airstrikes began around 11:20 p.m. and targeted various military sites in the central region, though it did not specify the exact locations of the strikes.

Some missiles were reportedly intercepted by Syrian air defenses, and local health officials indicated that 36 people sustained injuries, with six in critical condition.

Two unnamed regional intelligence sources reported that a major military research center associated with chemical arms production near Masyaf, in Hama province close to the Mediterranean coast, was hit multiple times. It is believed to house Iranian military experts involved in weapon production. However, a senior military source close to Damascus and Tehran contested these claims, asserting that the target was a recognized Syrian research facility rather than a chemical weapons site.

The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the airstrikes, describing them as blatant aggression, and stated that the attacks not only resulted in fatalities and injuries but also caused material damage to some residential areas.

Iran’s foreign ministry representative, Nasser Kanaani, strongly criticized the “criminal attack” in Syria and denied reports by media outlets affiliated with Israel regarding the targeting of Iranian centers or facilities under Iran’s protection.

Additionally, Syrian state media reported that the airstrikes sparked two fires, which firefighters were trying to control.

For years, Israel has targeted sites it claims are associated with Iranian or Iran-backed operations in Syria, where Iranian forces and allied militias have been active in supporting President Bashar al-Assad during the ongoing civil war. Following the Hamas-led assault on Israel from Gaza on October 7, these operations have intensified, including the April strike that resulted in casualties among senior Iranian commanders.