DAMASCUS. A series of overnight Israeli airstrikes in Syria left 14 people dead and 43 injured, Syrian state media reported on Monday. The strikes, which hit several areas in central Syria, damaged infrastructure, sparked fires, and targeted locations linked to Iranian militias.
According to Syrian state news agency SANA, the strikes occurred late Sunday, with initial reports from Masyaf National Hospital indicating a lower death toll of four, which later rose to 14. Faysal Haydar, the hospital director, confirmed the revised casualty numbers, stating, “The situation in the affected areas has been devastating, and we continue to treat the wounded.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitoring group, reported that at least four of the deceased were civilians.
Among the primary targets was a scientific research facility in Masyaf, an area known to house Iranian military personnel and weapons experts. Local reports also mentioned strikes near the coastal city of Tartous, further intensifying fears of escalations in the region.
The Israeli military has remained silent on these specific strikes, a pattern it has followed in recent years despite launching numerous attacks on government-controlled Syrian areas. Israel’s strikes often focus on Iranian-backed groups and Hezbollah, aiming to prevent Iranian entrenchment in the region. Iran has been using Syria as a crucial supply route to arm Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The current strikes come as Hezbollah continues to engage in skirmishes with Israeli forces, with the broader context of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. The involvement of these militant groups, both allied with Iran, has raised concerns of a larger regional conflict.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
