Israel conducts over 100 air strikes across Syria, targeting military sites
Israeli warplanes have carried out extensive air strikes across Syria, including in the capital, Damascus, according to Syrian state media and monitoring groups. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that more than 100 strikes targeted military facilities over the past two days.
One of the key sites struck was a research centre alleged to have links to chemical weapons production, local reports claim. Israel stated its actions are aimed at preventing weapons from falling “into the hands of extremists” following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.
The UN Security Council convened on Monday to discuss the escalating situation and is expected to issue a statement in the coming days.
The SOHR noted that one of the targets included a Damascus facility allegedly used for rocket development by Iranian scientists. Meanwhile, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has urged Syrian authorities to secure suspected chemical weapon stockpiles amid rising tensions.
Chemical weapons are banned under international law due to their indiscriminate nature. Syria’s chemical weapon stockpiles remain a concern, with allegations that the Assad regime’s declarations about their quantities and locations were incomplete.