3 April 2025
Israeli bombardment on Syria killed nine people and left several others injured during an “Israeli incursion” in Daraa city, south of the capital Damascus, AFP reported citing the provincial government in Daraa on Telegram.
The Syrian government has condemned Israel’s “impunity” as Israel stepped up air strikes on Syria, with jets hitting military targets, including an airport.
Wednesday’s attacks, which included ground incursions, killed 13 people, with Israel claiming it was responding to fire from gunmen during an operation in the south.
It marks the deepest movement of Israeli ground forces into Syria since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.
In a statement, Syria said the Israeli attacks were interfering with attempts to rebuild the country after 14 years of civil war.
“These repeated attacks form part of a clear Israeli strategy to normalise violence once again within the country, undermining recovery efforts and entrenching a culture of impunity,” it said.
The attacks have come as Turkey begins efforts to take control of Syria’s northern Tiyas air base, also known as T4, with plans to deploy air defence systems there.
Sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye earlier this week that Ankara and Damascus have been negotiating a defence pact since December.
The agreement would see Turkey providing air cover and military protection for Syria’s new government, which currently lacks a functioning military.
Negotiations have continued even after Turkish officials downplayed the possibility of a military presence in Syria, describing such plans as premature.
