DAMASCUS/CAIRO/BAGHDAD - Israel on Friday carried out its most intense airstrikes on Syria this year, targeting more than 20 positions in at least six provinces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state media.
The raids struck a wide range of locations, including Mount Qasioun, Barzeh, and Harasta in Rural Damascus, with explosions rocking areas near the Harasta Military Hospital.
The Observatory described the strikes as the fiercest since the beginning of this year, amid rising tensions between Israel and Syria. The attack reportedly caused dozens of injuries, though the casualty remains unclear.
Ambulance teams were seen rushing to several affected areas, including Kanaker, where a drone strike earlier in the day killed four people, according to Al-Watan newspaper.
The Israeli military has not issued a statement. However, Israeli media reported that new targets have recently been authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Israeli reconnaissance aircraft remained in Syrian airspace Friday, local media and eyewitnesses reported.
The Observatory said Israel has now conducted 52 strikes on Syria since the start of this year, including 44 airstrikes and eight ground assaults, destroying at least 79 targets ranging from weapons depots and command centers to military vehicles and missile platforms.
The wave of Israeli airstrikes comes amid regional instability and sectarian violence in Syria, especially in the south, where recent clashes between Druze fighters and pro-regime forces have left over 100 people dead.
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Syria vows to defend sovereignty
The Syrian presidency on Friday strongly condemned the earlier Israeli strike, noting that the country will defend the rights of its people "through all available means."
Syria "will not compromise on its sovereignty or its security," the presidency said in a statement, describing the strike as part of ongoing hostile movements aimed at undermining its national stability and unity.
The presidency warned that this aggression comes amid continued attempts to ignite internal crises and fragment Syrian society, and called on the international community and Arab states to stand by Syria in confronting these "aggressive violations."
Arab League, Iraq condemn Israeli airstrikes
The Arab League condemned on Friday the Israeli airstrikes on targets near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital Damascus.
The pan-Arab organization said in a statement that these airstrikes represent "a dangerous escalation and a rejected and condemned violation of Syria's sovereignty."
Iraq's Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement its "categorical rejection of all repeated Israeli attacks that violate Syria's sovereignty and threaten its security and stability."
