Israeli drone strikes kill 8 Syrian soldiers

Israeli drone strikes on Tuesday targeted the southern Damascus suburb of Kiswah, killing eight Syrian soldiers and wounding several others, according to Syrian officials and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, calling it a “serious violation of international law” and “a blatant breach of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The ministry further accused Israel of pursuing “aggressive policies aimed at destabilizing the region.”

The Israeli military has not officially commented on the incident as of Wednesday evening.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has stepped up military operations across Syria, targeting armed factions and military infrastructure. It has also seized control of a U.N.-monitored buffer zone along the southern border.

While the new Syrian authorities—a coalition that includes former Islamist insurgents—have shown no intent to engage in conflict with Israel, tensions remain high. Israeli officials continue to express concern over potential threats emanating from Syrian territory.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to maintaining a “security zone necessary to protect the Golan and Galilee settlements,” citing the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack as a turning point in Israeli defense strategy.

The strikes also come amid recent unrest in Sweida Province, where deadly clashes erupted last month between pro-government forces and members of Syria’s Druze minority. Israel, which has a significant Druze population, reportedly intervened during the fighting in support of the community.

Minister Katz reiterated Israel’s position, stating that it “will continue to protect the Druze people in Syria.”

The Syrian Observatory reported that the strikes on Tuesday targeted a strategic route connecting Damascus to Sweida and that multiple rounds of strikes were carried out—including one after paramedics had arrived on the scene. In addition to the eight fatalities, at least three soldiers were injured.

Earlier the same day, another drone strike near Quneitra, close to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killed one person, according to Syrian state media Al-Ikhbariah and the Observatory.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement condemning that attack as well, warning that continued Israeli aggression could escalate regional instability.

HKJ