Israeli Strike in Syrian Capital Destroys Iranian Revolutionary Guard Building, Resulting in Casualties
An Israeli strike on the Syrian capital on Saturday resulted in the destruction of a building that was being used by the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Syrian and Iranian state media have reported at least four Iranians killed in the attack.
Iranian State Media Reports
Iranian state television confirmed that four advisers from the Revolutionary Guard were killed in the strike in Damascus, without disclosing their identities. They also accused Israel of being behind the attack. Nour News, which has close ties to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, identified two of the deceased as Gen. Sadegh Omidzadeh, the intelligence deputy of the guard’s expeditionary Quds Force in Syria, and his deputy, known as Hajj Gholam.
Reports from Opposition War Monitor
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, stated that at least six individuals were killed in the missile attack, including five Iranians and one Syrian. The strike occurred during a meeting of officials from Iran-backed groups. According to the Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdurrahman, three of the Iranians killed were commanders, while four individuals remain missing beneath the debris.
The Target and Location
Syrian state TV reported that the “Israeli aggression” targeted a residential building located in the highly guarded neighborhood of Mazzeh in western Damascus. This neighborhood is home to several diplomatic missions, including those of Venezuela and South Africa.
Insights from an Official
A reliable source, familiar with the situation, revealed that the building was being used by Revolutionary Guard officials. This official, who belongs to an Iran-backed group, disclosed that the entire building was destroyed by “Israeli missiles,” resulting in the deaths and injuries of approximately 10 individuals. The official requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss security affairs publicly.
Situation Regarding Israeli Military
The Israeli military has not provided any comment regarding the strike.
Impacted Area and Rescue Operations
Following the attack, security forces mobilized in the vicinity of the demolished four-story building. Ambulances and fire engines were dispatched to the area, while rescue operations to search for individuals trapped under the rubble commenced. Nearby buildings also suffered damage with shattered windows.
Eyewitness Testimonies
A grocer near the strike scene reported hearing five consecutive explosions at approximately 9:15 a.m. He later witnessed the removal of the bodies of a man and a woman, along with three wounded individuals. Another individual, requesting anonymity for security reasons, recounted experiencing terror upon witnessing the smoke billowing from behind the mosque.
Resident Khaled Mawed, who lives nearby, expressed his shock and collapse due to the incident.
Context and Background
This attack occurred during a period of escalating tensions as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in considerable Palestinian casualties, vast destruction, and the displacement of a significant portion of the territory’s population.
Israel initiated its offensive in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in numerous fatalities and hostages taken. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has generated increased tensions throughout the region, risking the potential for further conflicts.
Last month, an Israeli airstrike in a Damascus suburb killed Iranian General Seyed Razi Mousavi, a prominent adviser to the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Syria. Israel has also targeted Palestinian and Lebanese operatives in Syria during previous years.
While Iranian and Syrian officials have acknowledged the presence of Iranian advisers and military experts in Syria, they have denied the inclusion of ground troops. However, thousands of fighters associated with Iran-backed groups have been involved in Syria’s conflict since its onset in 2011, influencing the balance of power in favor of President Bashar Assad.
Israel has conducted numerous strikes on targets within government-controlled areas of Syria throughout recent years. Although Israel rarely acknowledges these actions, they primarily focus on bases belonging to Iran-allied militant groups, such as Hezbollah from Lebanon.
Earlier this month, an Israeli strike allegedly carried out in Beirut resulted in the killing of top Hamas commander Saleh Arouri.
The region has experienced heightened tensions as evidenced by rocket attacks originating from Syria into northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In addition, attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have further contributed to the escalating situation along the Lebanon-Israel border.
