Israeli military aircraft have carried out airstrikes in Syria, targeting locations in the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama. The strikes, which occurred on Wednesday, hit the Barzeh neighborhood in Damascus, home to a scientific research center, as well as the Hama airport and military infrastructure in Homs.
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the attacks focused on the area surrounding the research facility in Barzeh and the airport in Hama. The Israeli military confirmed the operations, stating that they targeted “military capabilities” at Syrian military bases in Hama and Homs, along with alleged military infrastructure sites in Damascus.
Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government in December, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syria, focusing primarily on Iranian and Hezbollah-related targets. In addition to these aerial operations, Israel has stationed troops in a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone on the occupied Golan Heights.
Following Assad’s removal, Syrian observatories reported over 500 Israeli airstrikes between December 8 and December 31, 2024, with at least 43 attacks already carried out in the new year. One significant target was the Barzeh research center, which Israel has accused of being linked to the development of chemical weapons and guided missiles.
In the past, Israel has also targeted Syria’s Ministry of Defence, citing concerns over chemical weapons infrastructure. The European Union has condemned these strikes, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling them “unnecessary” and expressing concerns about the destabilizing effect they may have.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized Israel’s actions, accusing the country of undermining Syria’s stability with ongoing attacks.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/2/israel-launches-air-attacks-on-syrias-damascus-and-hama