Syria has strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting civilian sites south of Damascus, urging the United Nations to intervene and stop Israeli aggression against its people. The missile strikes, which occurred on Monday evening, killed two people and left five others injured, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attacks hit the Sayyidah Zaynab area, a well-known Hezbollah stronghold located just 10 kilometers from Damascus.
In a statement, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the airstrikes as “criminal,” accusing Israel of launching the attacks from the occupied Golan Heights. The Syrian government condemned the targeting of civilian areas, which included the Kaou Sudan junction, a hotel, and nearby farmhouses. The region has seen a significant influx of displaced people from Lebanon, making the attack even more devastating.
The Israeli Air Force, in a rare acknowledgment, confirmed that the strikes targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Syria. However, this explanation did little to alleviate the concerns over the damage to civilian infrastructure and the loss of innocent lives. Sayyidah Zaynab, which houses an important Shia shrine, has been a frequent target of Israeli strikes due to its association with Hezbollah.
Syria is now calling for urgent action from the UN to hold Israel accountable for its actions. The continued violence highlights the tense and volatile situation in the region as Israel intensifies its military operations following the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel. The international community’s response will be crucial in determining the future of this escalating conflict.
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