Israel announced Saturday that its forces targeted a suspected terrorist in southern Syria with a drone strike. The Israeli military said the individual posed an immediate threat to its soldiers, though it did not disclose the method of attack.
Syria’s foreign ministry responded that the drone hit a civilian vehicle on a road near the village of Beit Jinn, west of Damascus, injuring at least one person. Syrian state television confirmed one civilian injury.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions after Israel bombed an airbase in north‑west Syria earlier this week, an action U.S. special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack described as “unnecessary.” Damascus described the latest strike as part of a pattern of repeated Israeli violations of Syrian territory and a blatant breach of its sovereignty.
Background
Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Syria since the overthrow of President Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024, occupying areas it captured during that conflict. The Syrian government continues to accuse Israel of conducting cross‑border operations that target both militant groups and, at times, civilian infrastructure.
International reaction
The United States has not issued a formal statement on the latest strike, though earlier comments from the special envoy highlighted concerns about escalation in the region. Regional observers note that such incidents risk further destabilizing an already volatile border area.
Both sides remain firm in their positions: Israel asserts its right to defend its forces against threats emanating from Syrian territory, while Syria insists that any violation of its borders infringes on its constitutional sovereignty and endangers its citizens.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
