DARAA, Syria (AP) – Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted the southern region of the country, labeling the attacks as violations of international law. At least three individuals lost their lives on Monday due to a strike on the southwestern city of Daraa, which coincided with the 14th anniversary of a pivotal shooting by government forces that ignited the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s regime.
The Syrian Civil Defense reported that three people were killed, and numerous others were injured in the attack, which included four children and a woman among the wounded, as well as three civil defense volunteers. A funeral procession for one of the deceased was held on Tuesday, where hundreds of attendees mourned the loss. Dr. Nizar Rashdan, the director of Daraa General Hospital, stated that the airstrike targeted an abandoned military facility near a residential area, resulting in three fatalities and causing injuries to 25 people.
Witness Yasser al-Sharaa recounted the moments of the strike, expressing concern for the civilians in their community. “We are civilians living here. The children were scared and the building was damaged,” al-Sharaa said. “Thank God my losses were material, with no human losses.” In contrast, the Israeli military asserted that their airstrikes were aimed at “command centers and military sites” that contained weapons and military vehicles associated with the remnants of the Syrian regime, which they described as attempts by the “new army” to restore such assets.
The Israeli military has conducted numerous airstrikes, reportedly destroying significant assets of the dissolved Syrian army. The strikes intensified following the capture of Damascus by Islamist groups, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has roots tracing back to al-Qaida's branch in Syria after the ousting of Assad in the previous December.
On the anniversary of the March 18, 2011, shooting that triggered the uprising against Assad, commemorations took place at the Omari Mosque in Daraa. Hundreds of participants marched, voicing chants of solidarity for Gaza, asserting, “Oh Gaza, we will support you to death.” The funeral for one of the victims included a young man’s body, draped in the Syrian flag, and a demonstration against both Netanyahu and Assad, with Ahmad al-Masalmeh carrying a banner that highlighted the perceived connection between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Syrian President. “Today marks the spark of the revolution that began in Daraa against Bashar Assad,” al-Masalmeh stated. “Thank God we are victorious. We are united with the Palestinian people, and we will always be, God willing.”
The clash between Israel and Syrian forces continues to pose significant risks not only to military personnel but to the civilian population caught in the crossfire, highlighting the ongoing conflict in the region. As events unfold, the repercussions of these airstrikes resonate within both the local community and the broader geopolitical landscape.
