Israeli Airstrike Kills Syrian Civilian in Latakia
The airstrike targets military installations in Latakia, marking the first Israeli strike in the area since May 3.
An Israeli airstrike hit the countryside of Jabla in Latakia province on Friday, marking the first such operation since May 3. Reports indicate that the Israeli assault targeted the 107th Brigade's headquarters in the region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the strikes were directed at military sites in both Latakia and Tartus, although it did not report any casualties.
However, local news outlets reported that a civilian was killed as a result of the strike in Latakia.
The Israeli military announced that the airstrike aimed to destroy weapons storage facilities containing coastal missiles located in Latakia, stating that these missiles posed a threat to international and Israeli maritime navigation.
Furthermore, the military mentioned that it also targeted components used for surface-to-air missiles in the region.
This airstrike comes shortly after U.S. envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak, called for dialogue between Syria and Israel, who are technically still in a state of war.
Barak suggested that the discussions could begin with a non-aggression agreement between the two nations.
Since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against military positions in Syria, claiming that the operations are necessary to prevent military hardware from falling into the hands of new authorities.
One of the airstrikes earlier this month targeted the vicinity of the presidential palace amid outbreaks of violence of a sectarian nature.
Israeli forces have also maneuvered within the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights, which borders the area occupied by Israel from the Syrian plateau.
On occasion, Israeli military units advance into areas deeper within southern Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara has consistently stated that Syria does not seek escalation with its neighbors, urging the international community to pressure Israel to halt its strikes.
Earlier this month in Paris, he indicated that Damascus is engaged in 'indirect negotiations' with Israel through intermediaries in an effort to ease tensions.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the strikes were directed at military sites in both Latakia and Tartus, although it did not report any casualties.
However, local news outlets reported that a civilian was killed as a result of the strike in Latakia.
The Israeli military announced that the airstrike aimed to destroy weapons storage facilities containing coastal missiles located in Latakia, stating that these missiles posed a threat to international and Israeli maritime navigation.
Furthermore, the military mentioned that it also targeted components used for surface-to-air missiles in the region.
This airstrike comes shortly after U.S. envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak, called for dialogue between Syria and Israel, who are technically still in a state of war.
Barak suggested that the discussions could begin with a non-aggression agreement between the two nations.
Since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against military positions in Syria, claiming that the operations are necessary to prevent military hardware from falling into the hands of new authorities.
One of the airstrikes earlier this month targeted the vicinity of the presidential palace amid outbreaks of violence of a sectarian nature.
Israeli forces have also maneuvered within the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights, which borders the area occupied by Israel from the Syrian plateau.
On occasion, Israeli military units advance into areas deeper within southern Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara has consistently stated that Syria does not seek escalation with its neighbors, urging the international community to pressure Israel to halt its strikes.
Earlier this month in Paris, he indicated that Damascus is engaged in 'indirect negotiations' with Israel through intermediaries in an effort to ease tensions.
