| 2023 Damascus airstrike | |
|---|---|
| Part ofIran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war and theIran–Israel proxy conflict | |
| Location | |
| Target | Ammunition depot |
| Date | 19 February 2023 (2023-02-19) 00:22 – (UTC+3) |
| Executed by |  Israel (suspected) |
| Casualties | 15 killed, 15 injured |
On 18 February, anairstrike, suspected to have been carried out by theIsraeli Air Force, targeted sites in theDamascus Governorate, including a residential building.[1] Fifteen people were killed,[2] and another fifteen were injured.[3]
Since the outbreak of theSyrian civil war in 2011, many international airstrikes have been carried out. In Syria, there is alarge presence of Iranian troops as well as allies includingHezbollah and foreignmilitias fromIraq andAfghanistan. The strike took place in the same area where Hezbollah's senior commander,Imad Mughniyeh, wasassassinated in 2008.[4]
On 18 February, targets in Damascus were struck by alleged Israeli missiles from theGolan Heights.[5] TheKafr Sousa neighborhood was struck[6] near highly guarded Iranian installations.[7] According to theSyrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), the strike hit a warehouse used by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters. Historic buildings near theCitadel of Damascus were damaged, which was blamed on the strike.[8] The strike damaged buildings nearUmayyad Square, where multiple security installations are located.[9] Other civilian buildings were also damaged, resulting in 15 injuries.[3][8]
A woman was killed in the Marzaa District, possibly due to Syriananti-aircraft munitions.[8]
Initial reports stated only 5 people were killed,[3][7] but this number later rose to 15, including at least 2 civilian deaths, as per the SOHR.[2][8] It was reported that Colonel Amjad Ali, nicknamed the 'butcher of Damascus', was among the dead.[10] Sources toldReuters that the airstrike targeted an installation where Iranian officials were meeting to advance military programs aimed at developing drone or missile capabilities.[11]
TheRussian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, considering it a "flagrant violation ofinternational law".[12] TheLebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denounced the strikes in Damascus, expressing their outrage at the destruction and civilian casualties caused.[13]Hamas strongly "condemned the Israeli attack and its targeting of residential neighborhoods in the capital, Damascus..."[14] while theIslamic Jihad Movement stated that the bombing "reveals Israel's continuous efforts to target Syria and deepen the tragedy of its people who are healing their wounds after the devastatingearthquake."[14]
