Israeli warplanes targeted the town of Kisweh, about 20 kilometers south of Damascus, and areas in Daraa province late Tuesday, according to local sources and Syrian TV. A military site was specifically hit, although details were scarce. The attacks followed Syria’s condemnation of Israel’s military presence in the region, calling for a withdrawal during a recent summit. Israeli forces had entered a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not accept the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or similar factions in southern Syria, demanding demilitarization.
Damascus:
Israeli warplanes targeted a town south of Syria’s capital and the southern province of Daraa late on Tuesday, as reported by residents, security sources, and local broadcaster Syria TV.
According to a Syrian security source and Syria TV, the strikes hit the town of Kisweh, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Damascus. The source indicated that a military facility was hit, but did not provide further specifics.
Additional Israeli airstrikes also affected a town in the southern province of Daraa, as noted by a resident and Syria TV.
The Israeli military did not provide any immediate comment.
Residents in Damascus and reporters from Reuters in the city heard the sound of airplanes flying low over the capital, accompanied by a series of explosions.
This bombardment occurred just hours after Syria condemned Israel’s actions in the south and demanded a withdrawal, as stated in the closing remarks of a national summit.
Israel deployed forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized area within Syria after rebels affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former Al Qaeda group, deposed former President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel will not accept the presence of HTS in southern Syria or any other forces connected to the new rulers of the country, urging for the region to be demilitarized.
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