Jakarta – Israel launched three airstrikes on Damascus, the capital of Syria, yesterday. This action was carried out by Israel on the same day that rebels overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
As reported by Reuters on Monday (9/12/2024), local security officials said Israel attacked a security complex and government research center in the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus. This attack occurred on Sunday (8/12), the same day that rebels overthrew Assad, causing major damage to the Customs office and the building adjacent to the military intelligence office inside the security compound.
One source said the attack hit infrastructure used to store sensitive military data, equipment and missile parts. Research facilities were also said to have been damaged.
Israel is known to be watching the overthrow of Assad’s government with anxious anticipation as officials weigh the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years. Assad was known to be supported during the country’s long civil war by Iran and Russia.
Israeli officials have expressed concern that chemical weapons and other banned munitions and missiles stored by Syria for decades could now fall into the hands of rebels who stormed Damascus on Sunday (8/12).
Reuters sources also said before the attack on the security compound, Israel also struck at least seven targets in southwestern Syria including the Khalkhala air base north of the city of Sweida from which Syrian army troops were withdrawn last night.
