Damascus: Israel has launched airstrikes near Syria’s Mediterranean port city of Tartous, according to Syrian state media. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted a military facility in the Qardaha region, approximately 60 kilometers north of Tartous. The site reportedly stored weapons linked to Syria’s former regime.
Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported that Israeli warplanes carried out the attack on the outskirts of Tartous. While there were no immediate reports of casualties, emergency response teams were working to assess the damage and determine the exact locations hit.
Since the swift offensive last December that led to the removal of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Syrian military positions. The Israeli government claims these operations are aimed at preventing advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of hostile groups.
Just last week, Israel conducted airstrikes on military installations in southern Syria, days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for demilitarization of the region. Israeli forces have also moved into a United Nations-supervised demilitarized zone inside Syria, violating a longstanding 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries. In addition, Israel has taken control of strategic areas outside the buffer zone, including Mount Hermon, while repeatedly targeting military sites with air raids.
At a recent national dialogue conference in Syria, participants denounced Israel’s military actions, urging the international community to pressure Israel to cease its strikes and territorial incursions. The conference also condemned Netanyahu’s remarks and rejected Israeli efforts to exploit sectarian divisions, particularly regarding Syria’s Druze minority in the south.
