Iran and Syria blame Israel: Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were killed again in an air strike in Damascus – including the head of the secret service. Iranian President Raisi announced a reaction.
According to Iranian sources, several members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed in a suspected Israeli air strike on a building in the Syrian capital Damascus. This was reported by Iranian state radio. According to further media information, the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ secret service for Syria and his deputy are said to be among the dead. Two other men are said to have been killed.
Syrian media had previously reported the attack in the Masseh district, where several diplomatic missions are located, including the Iranian embassy.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least five people were killed in the suspected Israeli attack. The four-story building that was attacked was completely destroyed. According to the activists, a meeting of officials loyal to Iran took place there. The information provided by the observatory is often difficult to verify independently.
Iran: “Terrorist attack” by the “Zionist regime”
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also spoke of five deaths. The Israeli attack “will not go unanswered.” He did not give any details. The Iranian Foreign Ministry had previously strongly condemned the attack in Syria. In addition to diplomatic protest, the Islamic Republic reserves the right to respond to the “terrorism” of the “Zionist regime” in due course, said ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, according to a statement. “Undoubtedly, the blood of these high-ranking martyrs will not be wasted.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the attack as a violation of Syrian sovereignty.
A few days ago, the Revolutionary Guard attacked targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan in response to the killing of a general and terrorist attacks in the country. Some military experts said the rocket fire in Syria was also intended to show that Iran has weapons that could reach Israel.
Recently several members of the Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria
The Syrian state news agency Sana’s report said the attack was “the result of Israeli aggression.” Pictures on social media show a destroyed house on the side of the road.
Israel did not comment on the reports. The country has been attacking targets in Syria that are believed to be linked to Iran for years. Since the attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7 and the start of the Gaza war, Israel has increased its attacks. Three members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed in December. Earlier this month, Israel said it also killed a leading Hamas member in Syria in a rocket attack.