Israel Strikes Palmyra Killing Dozens

According to the reports on Thursday (21 November), an Israeli airstrike on Syria’s historic city of Palmyra on Wednesday (20 November), resulted in the deaths of 36 people and injuries to more than 50. The attack, which hit residential buildings and an industrial zone, was confirmed by the Syrian Defense Ministry and reported by the state news agency SANA. The airstrike, launched from the direction of the al-Tanf area, also caused significant damage to the targeted buildings and surrounding areas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 41 people were killed, including seven pro-Iranian Syrian fighters and 22 foreign fighters from Iraq, many of whom were members of the Al-Nujaba Brigades. Israel’s military declined to comment on the attack, but it has previously stated that it will continue to target Iranian-backed groups operating in Syria.

This strike is part of a broader campaign by Israel, which has been carrying out airstrikes in Syria for years but has increased these operations since the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas in October 2023. Israel’s primary goal is to limit Iran’s military presence in Syria and disrupt the transfer of weapons to groups like Hezbollah.

Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was previously seized by ISIS in 2015 and partially destroyed before being recaptured by Syrian forces. The recent strike has raised concerns about the potential for further regional instability, especially as Israel continues to target Iranian and Hezbollah positions in Syria, while Syria strives to avoid direct involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

References

• Israel Strikes Palmyra Killing Dozens and Wounding Many