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Israel conducts two airstrikes on Syrian targets

The Israeli Air Force reportedly conducted two separate aerial strikes against Syrian targets over the weekend. The first attack took place on Friday night in the area of Al-Kiswah, located about eight kilometers south of Damascus. According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, air defense systems in the Arab Republic were activated after several unidentified projectiles entered the country’s airspace from the direction of the Israeli Golan Heights.

A Syrian military source revealed the incoming projectiles appeared to be unmanned aerial vehicles, although he stopped short of identifying either the Syrian targets or impact of the alleged Israeli strikes. The second bombardment occurred less than 24-hours later on Saturday night, and Syrian surface-to-air missile systems were once again activated. Media reports claimed ‘unidentified objects’ also penetrated Syrian territory from its southwestern neighbor, Israel; although no further details were forthcoming, and the Damascus government did not immediately respond to TV7’s request for comment.

Meanwhile, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provided additional details regarding the first bombardment, claiming that Israeli aircraft in the Golan Heights had fired three missiles. According to the report, Syrian anti-aircraft batteries shot down one of the rockets; while the other two fell on the headquarters of the Syrian army’s 90th Brigade stationed at the Quneitra border region. That same base has been identified by intelligence sources as “a stockpiling and transit point for Iranian missiles,” and subject to several Israeli attacks in the past. IDF sources have refused to confirm or deny responsibility for the attacks.