Syria Under Fire: Israel Hits Assad’s Former Base in Bold Move
Israel conducted two airstrikes in Syria within 24 hours, targeting a former Assad regime base in al-Kiswah and killing six Syrian security personnel near Damascus.
Syrian military sources reported that Israel conducted a series of airstrikes targeting a former Assad regime military base in al-Kiswah, southwest of Damascus, marking the second Israeli strike in Syria within 24 hours. The al-Kiswah base, once a key stronghold for pro-Iranian militias during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, was hit just hours after another Israeli airstrike in Damascus suburbs killed six Syrian security personnel on the night of August 26. The earlier attack, also attributed to Israel, targeted Syrian forces in a residential area, escalating tensions in the region. No official casualty figures were reported for the al-Kiswah strike, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted it caused significant damage to infrastructure previously used by Iran-backed groups.
These strikes occur against the backdrop of delicate security negotiations between Israel and Syria. Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister have held multiple meetings to advance a potential security agreement, aiming to curb Iranian influence and stabilize the border. Israel has long targeted Iranian-linked sites in Syria, with over 300 strikes since 2023, per regional estimates, to disrupt weapons transfers to Hezbollah. The al-Kiswah area, strategically located near the Golan Heights, has been a focal point for such operations due to its historical use by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah operatives. The recent strikes signal Israel’s continued vigilance despite diplomatic efforts, especially following the collapse of Assad’s regime in December 2024, which left a power vacuum exploited by militias.
Syria’s interim government condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty, while Israel’s Defense Ministry remained silent, consistent with its policy on such operations. The strikes highlight the complex interplay of military action and diplomacy, as Israel seeks to secure its northern border while navigating Syria’s volatile post-Assad landscape, where 14 million people face humanitarian challenges, per UN data.