In brief
Syria has denounced an Israeli attack on the village of Beit Jinn southwest of Damascus, where a civilian vehicle was struck and several people injured. The assault marks the second Israeli strike on Syrian territory in the past week and is seen by Syrian officials as a blatant violation of international law. The Pentagon and US officials have criticised the strikes, while Israeli leaders admit targeting perceived threats. The conflict, involving Turkish troops and Israeli responses, highlights the fragile security balance in the Middle East.
Syrian officials have condemned an Israeli airstrike near Damascus as a violation of international law.
The strike hit the village of Beit Jinn, southwest of the capital, damaging a civilian vehicle and leaving several people injured. It is the second known Israeli attack on Syrian territory in a week, after a raid on the Abu al‑Duhur airbase close to the Turkish border.
In a statement posted on X, the Israeli military said it was targeting a “terrorist” preparing an attack that could threaten Israeli soldiers. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the operation a breach of sovereignty and an act that contravenes international law.
The United States, citing the severity of the situation, issued a rare rebuke of Israel, labeling the actions an “unnecessary escalation” that does not promote regional stability. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggested the strike might be to provoke Turkey into military involvement, a claim Israel’s far‑right Defence Minister Israel Katz denied, arguing the operation was based on “clear intelligence” about Turkish intentions.
The Israeli response to the earlier airbase raid included a statement that Israel and Syria “agreed to a status quo in security matters,” accusing Syria of allowing Turkish troops near Aleppo. The latest clash further intensifies an already volatile mix of Syrian internal divisions, Turkish military presence, and Israeli security concerns.
