Israeli airstrikes kill 15 in Damascus, target Islamic Jihad command centers

World News: Israel launched airstrikes on Thursday, targeting the Syrian capital, Damascus, and its nearby suburb of Qudsaya, killing at least 15 people and injuring another 16, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA. The strikes focused on infrastructure linked to the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, with both military targets and civilian structures suffering significant damage.

Airstrikes Hit Key Locations in Damascus and Suburb

The airstrikes struck the Mazzeh neighborhood in central Damascus and the Qudsaya suburb, located northwest of the capital. A five-story building in Mazzeh was heavily damaged, with a missile hitting its basement. Local reports confirmed that two buildings were hit by missiles in the area. Associated Press journalists on-site described the aftermath of the attack, with debris scattered across the streets of the neighborhood. The building's structural damage was extensive, but the full extent of casualties and damages remains under investigation.

Israeli Military Claims Targeting Islamic Jihad

The Israeli military confirmed that the airstrikes were aimed at infrastructure sites and command centers used by Islamic Jihad in Syria. Israel stated that these attacks were part of an ongoing effort to dismantle terrorist organizations. “We inflicted significant damage to the terrorist organization’s command center and to its operatives,” the Israeli military said in an official statement.

The strikes occurred just hours before a high-level meeting was set to take place in the Syrian capital. Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was due to meet with Palestinian faction representatives at the Iranian Embassy in Mazzeh. The timing of the attack has led some analysts to speculate on its potential political motivations as tensions in the region continue to rise.

Islamic Jihad’s Role and Aftermath of Strikes

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which has long maintained operations in Syria, confirmed that one of their offices in Mazzeh was directly targeted by the Israeli airstrikes. According to an anonymous official from the group, several of their members were killed in the attack. The official did not elaborate on the identities of those killed due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Syria’s Air Defense System Responds

In addition to the airstrikes in Damascus, Syrian air defenses were reportedly activated to counter a "hostile target" south of Homs, although no further details were provided. Syria’s ongoing war with Israeli military operations continues to escalate, as Israel aims to target Iran-backed forces operating within Syrian borders.

The Role of Iran and Continued Tensions

Iran has been a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Tehran has provided military and financial support, sending advisors and fighters to bolster Assad’s forces. Israel’s airstrikes, however, are often focused on Iranian-backed groups and Hezbollah, whom Israel accuses of destabilizing the region.

The strikes on Thursday reflect Israel's broader strategy of targeting regional threats from Iran and its allies. Israel has repeatedly stated that it will continue to carry out operations in Syria whenever necessary to counter these groups.