Israel-Iran conflict: Airstrikes in Damascus residential area kills five IRGC members, video surfaces

Israel-Iran conflict: In a significant escalation of hostilities, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in Damascus, resulting in the death of five "military advisers" associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attack, which took place in the Mazzeh neighbourhood, has heightened already strained relations between Israel and Iran.

Israel-Iran conflict: Tehran condemns "Israeli aggression"

The Syrian state media, SANA, reported the attack, attributing it to "Israeli aggression." Iran, confirming the deaths of its military personnel, blamed Israel for the strike. Tehran declared its right to respond at the appropriate time and place, condemning what it termed as "an escalation in aggressive and provocative attacks" by Israel.

In Syria, Damascus: the head of the Quds Force's intelligence unit in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, his deputy and 3 other "Iranian military advisers". Have been eliminated by an airstrike in Syria. pic.twitter.com/zWx8gk0zHm

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) January 20, 2024

Israel-Iran conflict: IRGC intelligence unit targeted, say sources 

According to well-informed sources, the target of the strike was an IRGC intelligence unit. The building housed a senior IRGC intelligence official and his assistants. The attack completely destroyed the four-storey building, and at least one person was taken to the hospital.

Israel-Iran conflict: IRGC confirms casualties, identifies victims

In a statement, the IRGC confirmed the casualties, stating that Israeli fighter jets carried out the airstrike, resulting in the death of several Syrian forces and four military advisers. The identified individuals include Hojjatollah Omidvar, Ali Aghazadeh, Hossein Mohammadi, and Saied Karimi. Later in the day, a fifth member, Mohammad Amin Samadi, succumbed to his wounds.

Brigadier General Sadegh Omidzadeh and Haj Gholam as well as 3 other Members of the Quds Force attached to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were Killed today by an Israeli Airstrike on the Syrian Capital of Damascus; this Assassination by the Israel Defense Force comes less… pic.twitter.com/Y0jM5KE4g1

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 20, 2024

Israel-Iran conflict: Israel's historical actions in Syria, rising regional tensions

Israel has a history of carrying out strikes on Iran-linked targets within government-controlled areas of Syria. The region is witnessing heightened tensions, exacerbated by Israel's offensive on Gaza and previous Israeli attacks on Syrian territories.

"Syria is not only a battleground of the power struggle between the regional and global powers, but also is a ground for the intelligence wars as well," reports Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar from Tehran. The presence and activities of Iran, Lebanon, and Hezbollah in Syria are crucial elements in the complex dynamics of the region.

Israel-Iran conflict: Continued strain in region

The recent attack follows Israel's air assault in a Damascus suburb last month, resulting in the death of Iranian General Sayyed Razi Mousavi. Israel rarely acknowledges its actions in Syria but has indicated that it targets bases of Iran-allied groups, including Lebanon's Hezbollah.

The ongoing tensions in the region have witnessed various incidents, such as rocket attacks from Syria into northern Israel, border tensions between Lebanon and Israel, and attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.

Israel-Iran conflict: Recent developments; Iran's response in Iraq

Adding to the complexity, Iran launched ballistic missiles on Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, claiming it was an attack on an Israeli spy headquarters. The attack resulted in casualties and heightened concerns about the broader regional security landscape.