Syrian state media revealed on Saturday, October 30 that the country’s air defences intercepted missiles fired from Israel toward the countryside outside the capital Damascus. The attack was carried out at approximately 11:17 am on Saturday by the Israeli forces using surface-to-surface missiles, Syrian state-run media reported.
The Syrian Armed Forces stated later that two Syrian soldiers were injured during the attack which is being speculated to have been directed from the Golan Heights area.
“Our air defence systems repelled the attacks and downed several missiles. As a result of the attack, two soldiers were injured and some material damage was incurred,” the Syrian military disclosed. No more details were provided regarding the incident.
The unusual nature of the attack was highlighted by the media, as Israeli attacks on Syria had previously occurred mostly during the nighttime. However, the attack on Saturday was carried out in broad daylight.
The attack on Syria was launched just days after the country had accused Israel of carrying out another attack in the southern region of its territory. No further details were offered by the Syrian military while making the allegations. Israel, alerted by Iran’s growing regional influence and military presence in Syria, has carried out hundreds of strikes against Iran-linked military targets in Syria over the years but seldom acknowledges its hand in the attacks.
However, Israel has been vocal about its continued efforts to target bases of Iran-allied militias, including the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The country is launching attacks against arms shipments it believes to have been connected to the militant group. Hezbollah group is backing the Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces, fighting on their side in the ensuing civil war.