Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

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Incident Code

ISSY015

Incident date

January 22, 2021

Location

حي كازو, Kazo neighborhood, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family including two children were reported killed and four others including an infant were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes, or Syrian regime rockets launched to respond to Israeli airstrikes in Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021.

The family is displaced from Idlib, and it seems that one of the children died of his injuries in the hospital, according to local sources. Two children were pulled out of the rubble and the family members were taken to Hama National Hospital. @SAMSyria0 said that the rocket hit a building that was inhabited by a family of 10 members (parents, grandparents and 6 children).

Governorate Hama provided the names of the civilians killed on Facebook: Karmo Saeed Al-Abdo; Elham Karmo al-Abdo; Munjid Karmo al-Abdo; Mahmoud Muhammad Talib Halabiya. In addition, names were provided of those injured: Yusra Junaid Al-Ahmad; Khaled Karmo al-Abdo; Nour Muhammad Tariq Halabiya; Khawla Muhammad Tariq Halabiya.

Deutsche Welle News reported that two children were among the four people wounded in the attack.

As to what the Israelis targeted, Syrian Files said that attack targeted a surface-to-surface missiles factory run by the scientific research center. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that attack targeted five locations that had “members of the militia loyal to Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah which were present within the regime’s military forces in the vicinity of Hama and its proximity in the region Al-Wusta from Syria, which led to its complete destruction.” Iran Wire Arabic said that the attack targeted “warehouses for storing weapons for Iranian militias in 3 locations, one of which is in the 47th Brigade of the 8th Division, and Iranian militias use it to store missiles, while the bombing also targeted a military center for developing weapons, especially missiles near scientific research in Masyaf, and a military headquarters for the Revolutionary Guard in the Umrah area of ​​Ain Halakim district, west of Hama.”

As to who is responsible, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) affiliated with the Syrian regime reported that Israeli forces launched rockets targeting the surrounding of Hama governorate, and that the Syrian air defence responded to the attack. SANA then said that a family consisting of a father, a mother and two children were killed, and four others, an elderly person, a woman and two children were injured, and that three houses were demolished in the western side of Hama.

However, @Syriahr blamed the Syrian regime for the killing and injuring of the civilians saying that they were killed by rockets of the Syrian regime which were launched from Hama’s military airport, located meters away from Kazo neighborhood. The Observatory said that “the remnants of the missiles fired by the regime’s air defense brigades, in an attempt to counter the Israeli missiles, killed a family consisting of a woman, her husband and two children, in addition to the injury of four, who are an elderly man, two children and a woman, after the remnants of one of the missiles fell on the Kazo neighborhood in the northwestern part of Hama.”

Sounds of explosions were also heard in Tartus, Banias and rural Damascus as a result of launching of air defence missiles.

@SAMSyria0 mentioned that ‘part of a military object, a missile, were found in Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in the sane time of the raid, and the sound of an explosion was reported in Irbid, north of Jordan, during the raid.’

@SAMSyria0 then tweeted images of what described ‘parts of the S200 long-range air defense missile near Yabroud in Damascus countryside, which is most likely the cause of the sound of the explosion that was heard in the vicinity of Damascus.’ Another missile was found in Ras Al-Ma’arra in Qalamoun area in rural Damascus.

@khalediskef also shared images describing them as ‘fragments of the missiles that were used during the Israeli raid on Hama, it was found that they were American GBU-39 guided bombs.’

Local sources also shared images of missiles in Tartus and the Observatory denied that there was an Israeli attack on Tartus, and said what was found was remnants of the regime’s air defence response to the attack in Hama.

According to Iran Wire, the attacks killed 40 Syrian regime members and 20 members of the Iranian militias, in addition to destroying the targeted sites.

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Elham Al-Abdo الهام العبدو
40 years old female killed
Mahmoud Halabiya محمود حلبية
4 years old male killed
Karmo Al-Abdo كرمو العبدو
63 years old male 63 killed
Munjid al-Abdo منجد العبدو
10 years old male killed
Noor Halabia نور حلبية
3 years old female injured
Khawla Halabiya خولة حلبية
3 months years old female injured
Khaled Al-Abdo خالد العبدو
26 years old male injured
Yosra Al-Ahmad يسرى الأحمد
50 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    60

Sources (60) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (74) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Breaking: Al-Watan Correspondent in Hama: A displaced family consisting of three people, a father, a mother and a young girl, was martyred, in addition to a man from their relatives, and a critically ill infant was injured in the Kazo neighborhood of Hama due to the "Israeli" attack on the governorate at dawn today.
  • Caption translation: Because of the Israeli aggression, a displaced family living in the Kazo neighborhood, consisting of three people, was martyred, a father, a mother, a young girl and a baby in critical condition. Mercy for their souls, patience and solace for their families. Kazo is a popular civilian neighborhood, and there is no military post there at all
  • Caption translation: Local sources in Hama: An entire family was killed in the Kazo neighborhood, and two babies were pulled out of the rubble alive. Four martyrs and three wounded, from one family, as a result of the aggression against Hama at dawn today.
  • Caption translation: Parts of a military object (a missile? !!) fell in the Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in coincidence with the raid, and the sound of an explosion was reported in Irbid, north of Jordan, during the raid.
  • Caption translation: Pictures showing one of the S200 long-range air defense missile parts near Yabroud in Damascus countryside, which is most likely the cause of the sound of the explosion that was heard in the vicinity of Damascus.
  • Caption translation: The wounded of the Israeli air aggression that targeted Hama at dawn today was wounded.
  • Caption: The damage to civilian homes as a result of the Israeli aggression on Hama at dawn today.
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • One of the children injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes or Syrian regime rockets in Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA).
  • One of the children injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes or Syrian regime rockets in Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA).
  • One of the children injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes or Syrian regime rockets in Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA).
  • One of the children injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes or Syrian regime rockets in Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA).
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Aftermath of Israeli airstrike or Syrian regime rockets on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Remnants of missiles used in an alleged Israeli attack on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via SANA)
  • Civilians gathered in the location of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @AlwatanSy).
  • Civilians gathered in the location of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @AlwatanSy).
  • A building totally damaged in an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @AlwatanSy).
  • Civilians gathered in the location of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @AlwatanSy).
  • Remnants of a Syrian air defence rocket found in Al-Qadmous, Tartus, Tawahin village. (via @SAMSyria0).
  • Remnants of a Syrian air defence rocket found in Al-Qadmous, Tartus, Tawahin village. (via @SAMSyria0).
  • Remnants of a Syrian air defence rocket found in Al-Qadmous, Tartus, Tawahin village. (via @SAMSyria0).
  • Parts of a military object, most likely a missile, were found in Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in coincidence with an Israeli airstrike on Hama in Syria. (via @SAMSyria0)
  • Parts of a military object, most likely a missile, were found in Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in coincidence with an Israeli airstrike on Hama in Syria. (via @SAMSyria0)
  • Parts of a military object, most likely a missile, were found in Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in coincidence with an Israeli airstrike on Hama in Syria. (via @SAMSyria0)
  • The location where parts of a military object, most likely a missile, were found in Khirbet al-Wahhadneh area in Ajloun governorate in Jordan, in coincidence with an Israeli airstrike on Hama in Syria. (via @SAMSyria0)
  • A child injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on locations in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @SyriawatanNews).
  • A child injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on locations in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @SyriawatanNews).
  • A civilian injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on locations in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @SyriawatanNews).
  • A woman injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on locations in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via @SyriawatanNews).
  • According to @khalediskef, these are fragments of missiles used during the Israeli raid on Hama, and found to be American GBU-39 guided bombs.
  • According to @khalediskef, these are fragments of missiles used during the Israeli raid on Hama, and found to be American GBU-39 guided bombs.
  • A wounded child in hospital after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Kafar Takharim)
  • A wounded woman in hospital after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Kafar Takharim)
  • A wounded child in hospital after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Kafar Takharim)
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • A member of the Ba'ath party in Idlib paid a visit to hospital where wounded civilians as a result of the Israeli airstrike were staying. (via Idlib, Salqin )
  • The funeral of the four victims of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Idlib, Salqin)
  • The funeral of the four victims of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Idlib, Salqin)
  • The funeral of the four victims of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Idlib, Salqin)
  • The funeral of the four victims of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Idlib, Salqin)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Syria is ours post).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Syria is ours post).
  • Damage to a house as a result of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Syria is ours post).
  • Damage to a house as a result of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Syria is ours post).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Israeli airstrike on Kazo neighborhood in Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Syria is ours post).
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • Remnants of Syrian air defence rockets/bomb showed on the Syrian TV. (via U Defence)
  • A map showing the location of Kazo neighborhood in Hama and the Hama airport and Bayada, and also Tripoli where the bomb is believed to have been launched from. (via U defence)
  • Four civilians from the same family including two children were killed by alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hama on January 22nd, 2021. (via Idlib governorate martyrs)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes on Hama on January 22, 2021. (Image posted by Xinhua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes on Hama on January 22, 2021. (Image posted by Xinhua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes on Hama on January 22, 2021. (Image posted by Xinhua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes on Hama on January 22, 2021. (Image posted by Xinhua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Israeli or Syrian regime missile strikes on Hama on January 22, 2021. (Image posted by Xinhua)

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    60

Sources (60) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY014

Incident date

August 31, 2020

Location

الهيجانة, Al Hayjana, Rural Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.357582, 36.245826 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, including at least one woman, were reportedly killed in alleged Israeli air or artillery strikes or the shrapnel of Syrian regime defence missiles in Al Hayjana in rural Damascus, Syria on August 31st, 2020. At least one other civilian was injured.

Several sources reported multiple alleged Israeli strikes in southern Syria. Baladi News reported that military sites of regime forces and Iranian militias were targeted. The regime-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency stated that the “Israeli aggression targeted the southern region with bursts of rockets, and our air defence system responded to them.” According to SANA, the shelling took place from the the Jabal al-Sheikh area towards the occupied Syrian Golan.

According to a military source, SANA reported two deaths, seven wounded and material damage, without specifying the number of civilian casualties.

Step News Agency also reported that ” Israeli warplanes targeted, with several air strikes, the sites of the Syrian regime and Iranian militias in the hills surrounding the Al-Kiswah area in the countryside.” Step also wrote that “thee residents of the capital Damascus circulated a video clip documenting the departure of an air defence missile from one of the military barracks of the Syrian regime south of Damascus, and its fall on the ground in the vicinity of Al Kiswa, south of the capital,”

According to a @HalebTV correspondent, one of the regime’s air defence missiles fell on the house of a civilian in Hayjana, killing a woman and injuring three people, as well as destroying the house completely.

@khalediskef, among other sources, identified the killed woman as Mutla Al Sarhan and one of the injured civilians as her husband.

Hasakah Eye concluded that “Israeli shelling killed 11 people, seven Hezbullah tracking elements, three Syrian regime elements, and three civilians after Israeli bombing on the vicinity of Damascus airport”, writing that the strikes targeted Hezbollah elements.

Instead of reporting airstrikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Israeli rocket attacks coming from the occupied Golan Heights.

According to Haaretz News, an IDF spokesman, Brigadier General Hedi Zilberman, addressed the attack this morning, saying: “The IDF has an interest and has strategic goals in the northern arena, and we are doing everything necessary to meet those goals.” In an interview with Gali Tzahal, Zilberman declined to comment on the identities of those killed in the attack, saying: “I do not want to go into these specific issues. “He was confident that the IDF was working day and night to ensure that our strategic goals in the northern arena were properly realized.”

The incident occured at approximately 10:40 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mutla Al Sarhan مطلة السرحان
Adult female killed
Husband of Mutla Al Sarhan
Adult male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Kiswa (الكسوة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.357582, 36.245826. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY013

Incident date

June 24, 2020

Location

معمل تجفيف البصل, Onion Drying Factory, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.013944, 37.065056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on an onion factory, reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon and ammunitions depot, in Al Salamiya on June 24th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Times of Israel identified the strike location as being “an onion-processing plant and a cattle feed factory converted by Iranian forces into ammunition warehouses”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Israeli strikes targeted an onion factory, which was partially turned into a weapon and ammunitions depot by Iranian forces. According to the SOHR, “their destruction led to huge explosions that lasted for several hours, which caused panic and terror to the people and the flying shrapnel injured civilians.”

Nziv.net also reported that after the attack, “the sounds of ambulances rushing to the attacked site were heard. Confirmed reports confirm that there were casualties at the sites attacked.” In this specific strike, the cultural center was the alleged location of the strikes.

Based on what they identified as reliable sources, the SOHR wrote that the Russian forces had informed the director of the onion factory so that it could be evacuated before the Israeli strikes. According to the SOHR, “the Israeli airstrikes destroyed two of the hangars that were weapons depots, while the third remained, which was rented by a person to manufacture ‘chips’.”

@jamlyyyyy reported that three injured people that were hit by shrapnel were brought to the National Hospital in Salamiya, but the source did not specify whether the victims were civilians. Baladi News also reported three injured but stated that the victims were not identified.

According to Ynet News, an eyewitness told RT: “Everything happened very quickly, it was a matter of seconds. From the moment we heard the sound of the planes until the explosion, seconds, even moments passed. The blow knocked us down as we tried to go up to the second floor to check on the children.”

The regime-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency stated that, according to a military source, Israel targeted several locations in Salamiya and Saboura in Hama governorate at exactly 00:45 AM. The source stated: “As soon as the enemy missiles were discovered, our air defences dealt with them and worked to pursue them and targeted them and shot down a large number of them before [they could] reach their targets, damages were limited to materials.”

@thawraa_syrv posted photos of the cultural centre in the city of Salamiya, writing that it “was which was used by the Iranian militias as their headquarters, the images show its complete destruction as a result of the Israeli raids last night.”

Orient News reported that “activists from Al Salamiya stated that the aerial bombardment of the city was the first of its kind, and affected both the onion factory in the city, a military centre run by Iranian militias in Al Saboura (east of the city), and a military site on an archaeological road, indicating that these places may [have] contained large quantities of arms and ammunition, due to the massive explosions caused by the bombing.”

Orient added: “Although Assad’s media did not report any casualties in the Salamiyah area, activists confirmed that the Salamiyah hospital contained an unknown number of casualties due to the bombing.”

Baladi News wrote that a field source had told Russian press agency Sputnik that it was likely that the shelling came from the Al Tanf area, which is controlled by American forces. Earlier reports indicated that Israeli forces had started to use to base for strikes on the Syrian regime and Iranian militias.

In a special interview with News 13, the commander of the Ramat David base, Colonel III, did not confirm the attack, but agreed to say that “the goal is to reduce the Iranian military presence in Syria and all its elements that threaten the State of Israel.” They added they seven people were killed but did not specify if they were civilians or militants. A tweet from @yonibmen specified that of the seven killed were “5 Iranians and 2 Syrians killed in an Israeli attack in Syria, targets were attacked in the Hamat, a-Sahna and Swida areas in the south”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Pictures of the cultural center in the city of Salamiyah, east of Hama, which was used by the Iranian militias as their headquarters, the images show its complete destruction as a result of the Israeli raids last night” (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Damaged cultural centre in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Damaged cultural centre in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Translation: “This is what Israeli planes did to the "onion factory" camp of the Iranian militia in the city of Salamiyah, Hama” (via @baladinetwork).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on Al Salamiya on June 24, 2020 (via @thawraa_syrv).
  • Translation: “The effects of the Israeli aggression on the city of Salamiyah in the countryside of Hama” (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya, which was reportedly used by Iranian militias as a weapon depot, after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Rubble in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Salamiya on June 24, 2020 (via @jouhinanewssy).
  • Translation: “Targeting a factory where Iranian forces are present, peaceful Syria tonight” (via @doghlas_m).
  • Translation: “Hama – pictures of the destruction due to the Israeli air strikes that targeted Iranian militia sites in the onion plant in the city of Al Salamiyah in the eastern countryside of Hama yesterday” (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Salamiya, June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).
  • Damaged onion factory in Al Salamiya after alleged Israeli airstrikes on June 24th, 2020 (via @Ahmad_1alshble).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Onion Drying Factory (معمل تجفيف البصل) being struck in the city of Al Salamiyah (سلمية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.013944, 37.065056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY012

Incident date

June 24, 2020

Location

الصبوره, Al Saboura, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.155474, 37.209342 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a civilian was killed and others injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Saboura village in Hama countryside on June 24th, 2020 after midnight.

The Observatory said “A civilian was killed and three others were wounded, as a result of the Israeli bombing of the village of Saboura in the eastern Hama countryside on June 24th.”

Around the same time a reported weapons factory was also targeted at nearby Salamiya, although there were no reports of civilian harm: “The Syrian Observatory learned from reliable sources that Russian forces had informed the director of the onion plant near Salamieh for evacuation before the Israeli bombing. And Israeli air strikes destroyed two of the buildings that were weapons depots, while the third one, which is used to manufacture crisps, remained.”

Nziv.net also reported that after the attack, “the sounds of ambulances rushing to the attacked site were heard. Confirmed reports confirm that there were casualties at the sites attacked.” In this specific strike, the cultural center was the alleged location of the strikes.

@SanaAjel tweeted that “SANA – Military source: At 00:45 pm, the Israeli enemy carried out a new air aggression targeting several locations of ours in Salamiya and Saburah in the countryside of Hama.”

In a special interview with News 13, the commander of the Ramat David base, Colonel III, did not confirm the attack, but agreed to say that “the goal is to reduce the Iranian military presence in Syria and all its elements that threaten the State of Israel.” They added they seven people were killed but did not specify if they were civilians or militants. A tweet from @yonibmen specified that of the seven killed were “5 Iranians and 2 Syrians killed in an Israeli attack in Syria, targets were attacked in the Hamat, a-Sahna and Swida areas in the south”.

The incident occured after midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sabourah (الصبوره), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.155474, 37.209342. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY011

Incident date

May 1, 2020

Location

معسكر الحسن بن الهيثم للتدريب الجامعي, Al Hassan Bin Al Haitham Military Training Camp, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.685734, 36.734848 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians were wounded and taken to hospitals in Homs, Syria after being hit by shrapnel from an explosion, allegedly as a result either of Israeli airstrikes or an accidental explosion, on an ammunition warehouse of Hezbollah within the camp of Hassan Bin Al Haitham on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said they received information that the explosion “was caused by a new Israeli missile strike, which targeted a warehouse of ammunition and missiles belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah in the camp of Hassan bin Al-Haytham located on the road of Homs – Palmyra.” The sources of the Syrian Observatory confirmed that the camp “is for university training, but the Lebanese Hezbollah took it as headquarters a few years ago.”

However, there were different stories about the explosions that were heard in Homs. The Syrian regime said the explosion was a result of human error while moving ammunition there, which had then led to the explosion and the injury of a number of civilians who were passing at that time.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a regime military source as saying “At 9:25 am on Friday, May 1st, 2020, successive explosions were heard at a military position in the city of Homs, and investigations revealed that these explosions occurred due to human error during the transportation of some ammunition”, the source said. He added that the explosions caused material and human losses due the shrapnel which scattered outside the military position.

However, the governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said that  “the sounds heard in Homs were caused by explosions in an ammunition depot as a result of an attack on the site. He stressed that the attack included a military site and its nature was not known yet, which led to explosions. Smoke columns emerged from the site, shells fell in its vicinity, and a number of passing civilians were wounded.”

Dr. Hassan Al Jundi, Homs Health Director, told SANA that “10 injuries had arrived in public and private hospitals in the city as a result of falling flying missiles from the explosion that occurred at a military site, and the necessary aid was provided to them.”

Step News Agency provided the names of that arrived at Homs Hospital with injuries from the explosion: Muhammad Ahmad Al-Ahmad – amputated right leg, Muhammad Ali Ibrahim – two limbs amputated, Muhammad Yusef Milhem – a right hand wound and a back wound, Muhammad Omar Hussein Askari – stable general situation.

Baladi News reported that a number of Hezbollah members were killed and injured as a result of the event. They said that nine militants including officers were killed.

The incident occured at approximately 9:25 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Ahmad Al-Ahmad محمد أحمد الأحمد
Age unknown male Amputated right leg injured
Muhammad Ali Ibrahim محمد علي ابراهيم
Age unknown Two amputated limbs injured
Muhammad Yusef Milhem محمد يوسف ملحم
Age unknown Right hand and back injuries injured
Muhammad Omar Hussein Askari محمد عمر حسين عسكري
Age unknown Stable condition injured
Muhammad Ahmad Al Ahmad محمد أحمد الأحمد
Age unknown male Right leg amputated injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Damage after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via HNC Homs).
  • Damage after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via HNC Homs).
  • Rubble on the street after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via HNC Homs).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via SANA).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via SANA).
  • Aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via SANA).
  • Image from a balcony alleging 2 injured in Al Khoudary street. after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via HNC Homs).
  • Damage after alleged Israeli strikes on the road connecting Homs to Palmyra, Homs governorate, on May 1st, 2020 (via HNC Homs).
  • Explosions in Homs from alleged Israeli strikes on May 1, 2020. (Image posted by @HeshmatAlavi)
  • Explosions in Homs from alleged Israeli strikes on May 1, 2020. (Image posted by @HeshmatAlavi)
  • Explosions in Homs from alleged Israeli strikes on May 1, 2020. (Image posted by @HeshmatAlavi)
  • Explosions in Homs from alleged Israeli strikes on May 1, 2020. (Image posted by Nziv.net)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Hassan Bin Al Haitham (الحسن بن الهيثم) training camp, in the vicinity of the road connecting Homs (حمص) to Palmyra (تدمر). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for this camp are: 34.685734, 36.734848.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Hezbollah
  • Belligerents reported killed
    9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY010

Incident date

April 27, 2020

Location

العادلية, Al Adliya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373980, 36.347236 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the town of Al Adliya, Damascus countryside, on April 27th, 2020, according to local sources. Other sources stated that civilians died due to remnants of anti-aircraft missiles fired by the Syrian regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were wounded, as a result of shrapnel of missile fragments on their homes in the Al Adliya and Al Hujayra regions of the southern countryside of Damascus.” The source, however, stated it was not known “whether the shrapnel was caused by Israeli missiles, or by the air defence missiles of the Syrian regime”.

While several sources reported three killed and three injured civilians in both Al Huyajra and Al Adliya, others specified how many casualties fell in each town. Several sources stated that two civilians were killed and three others, including a six-year-old, were injured in a similar incident in the town of Al Huyajra, approximately seven kilometres away from Al Adliya, while a woman was killed in Al Adliya.

Haaretz News quoted local sources as saying that “Four members of a pro-Iran militia and three civilians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a Damascus suburb in the early hours of Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syria’s official news agency SANA earlier reported three civilians had been killed and four injured, including a child.” However, they did not specify which location these casualties occurred.

The regime-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency, for example, wrote that “a woman died in the Al Adliya area as a result of the aggression.”

Shaam News Network, however, reported that the civilians in Al Adliya and Al Hujayra were killed and injured “by shrapnel from remnants of anti-aircraft missiles from the regime’s militias, coinciding with the Israeli warplanes carrying out airstrikes on Iranian militia positions at dawn today, April 27, according to the expectations of identical local sources.”

Shaam furthermore reported, according to local courses, that “eight Israeli airstrikes were carried out by Israeli planes targeting the sites of the regime and Iranian militias in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and its surroundings, at dawn today, without revealing the size of the human and material losses inflicted on the locations of the targeted militias”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Hujayra or Al Adliya on April 27th, 2020 (via SANA).
  • Translation: “Three civilians were killed and three others were wounded in the towns of Al Hujayra and Adliya, as a result of the Israeli aggression” (via SANA).
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Israel Hayom, attributed to Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Explosions over Damascus during alleged Israeli strike on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Ynet News)
  • Damage caused by an Israeli strike on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Ynet News)
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Kan News)
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Kan News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Adliya (العادلية), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.373980, 36.347236. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY009

Incident date

April 27, 2020

Location

الحجيرة , Al Hujayra, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.43897, 36.31820 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a woman, were killed and three others, including a 6-year-old child, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the town of Al Hujayra, Damascus countryside, on April 27th, 2020, according to local sources. Other sources stated that the civilians died due to remnants of anti-aircraft missiles fired by the Syrian regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were wounded, as a result of shrapnel of missile fragments on their homes in the Adliya and Al Hujayra regions of the southern countryside of Damascus.” The source, however, stated it was not known “whether the shrapnel was caused by Israeli missiles, or by the air defence missiles of the Syrian regime”.

The regime-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency reported that “enemy missile fragments landed in the populated towns of “Al Hujayra” and “Al Adliya”, which caused the death of three civilians, and the injury of three others, including a six-year-old child.”

Haaretz News quoted local sources as saying that “Four members of a pro-Iran militia and three civilians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a Damascus suburb in the early hours of Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syria’s official news agency SANA earlier reported three civilians had been killed and four injured, including a child.” However, they did not specify which location these casualties occurred.

In an article, SANA quoted the governor of Quneitra, Hammam Dabiyat, who stated that Israeli forces had targeted civilians homes in the town, killing a man and his wife, and wounding three others, including a child.

SANA also quoted the governor of Damascus countryside, Alaa Ibrahim, who further specified that the house of a displaced family from the city of Quneitra was targeted, “which led to the death of the husband and his wife, and the injury of their child and another person and the wife’s mother. The injured were treated at Al Mujtahid Hospital, while a woman died in the Al Adliya area as a result of the aggression.”

Dr Salah Ismail, head of the ambulance department at the Al Mujtahid hospital, stated that ” three cases of people from one family with injuries and wounds arrived at the hospital this morning from the Hujayraarea.” Two of the victims were lightly injured, while the third case, a child, remained under medical observation.

Shaam News Network, however, reported that the civilians were killed and injured “by shrapnel from remnants of anti-aircraft missiles from the regime’s militias, coinciding with the Israeli warplanes carrying out airstrikes on Iranian militia positions at dawn today, April 27, according to the expectations of identical local sources.”

Shaam furthermore reported, according to local courses, that “eight Israeli airstrikes were carried out by Israeli planes targeting the sites of the regime and Iranian militias in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and its surroundings, at dawn today, without revealing the size of the human and material losses inflicted on the locations of the targeted militias”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al Hujayra or Al Adliya on April 27th, 2020 (via SANA).
  • Translation: “Three civilians were killed and three others were wounded in the towns of Al Hujayra and Adliya, as a result of the Israeli aggression” (via SANA).
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Israel Hayom, attributed to Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • Explosions over Damascus during alleged Israeli strike on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Ynet News)
  • Damage caused by an Israeli strike on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Ynet News)
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Kan News)
  • Alleged Israeli strikes on a southern Damascus suburb on April 27, 2020. (Image posted by Kan News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hujayra (الحجيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.43897, 36.31820. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected targets
    Assad regime, Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISSY008

Incident date

December 21–22, 2019

Location

المنطقة الواقعة بين سات زينب وعقربا, Area between Sat Zaynab and Aqraba, Rural Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.437222, 36.361828 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three people were killed in alleged Israeli strikes between Sayyida Zainab and Aqraba on December 21-22, 2019. Sources are conflicted as to whether those killed were militants or civilians.

Local sources reported that Israeli missiles – either launched from a ship in the Mediterranean or via an airstrike – landed on the Sayyeda Zainab area of rural Damascus on December 21st-22nd, 2019, killing General ‘Haj Ali’, who was believed to be a leader in the ranks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and his entire family. The Iranian Fars News Agency, however, denied reports that General Haj Ali had been killed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Israeli missile strikes south of the capital Damascus, killed at least three people of non-Syrian nationalities, where they are likely to be Iranians who were killed by fall of a rocket on the area between Sayyida Zainab and Aqraba south of the capital Damascus yesterday evening, and information about more casualties were reported.” However, this source did not specify if those killed were militants or civilians.

The Times of Israel also identified three people killed in the strikes, referring to them as “non-Syrian fighters”.

According to Step News, “The local (Ein Al Furat) network, which specializes in Iranian affairs in Syria, also mentioned that the targeting resulted in the killing of General Haj Ali, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard militia, and his entire family, as a result of a missile from the Israeli warship that targeted his house in Al Sayyeda Zainab neighbourhood in Damascus countryside.”

However, Sputnik Arabic wrote that the Iranian press agency Fars News had denied claims that General Haj Ali had been killed in strikes: “General Ali Hajizadeh is in good situation, and the news that he was killed is pure lies. The news that Haji Zadeh was killed in an Israeli raid on Syria yesterday is a rumour that was reported by some malicious Arab media, and it was re-published on social media via opposition channels.”

Fars News furthermore posted photos that were allegedly showing General Ali Haj attending Friday prayers on December 27th, 2019. Many articles have quoted General Hajizadeh since the alleged incident, including a profile done by the Middle East Eye that refers to him as the “Iran’s drone mastermind” and “the new Soleimani”.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, who told Fox News they don’t comment on foreign media reports of airstrikes.

The incident occured between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Several sources reported that General "Haj Ali", commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Sayyeda Zainab area in the night of December 21st-22nd, 2019 (via Ain Al Furat).
  • Despite reports that General Haj Ali was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the night of December 21st to the 22nd, 2019, the Iranian press agency Fars News reported that the General was alive, publishing photos of the General attending Friday prayer on December 27th (via Fars).
  • Despite reports that General Haj Ali was killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the night of December 21st to the 22nd, 2019, the Iranian press agency Fars News reported that the General was alive, publishing photos of the General attending Friday prayer on December 27th (via Fars).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area between Sat Zaynab (السيدة زينب) and Aqriba (عقربا), in the southern countryside of Damascus (دمشق). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates between these two points are: 33.437222, 36.361828.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area between Sat Zaynab (السيدة زينب) and Aqriba (عقربا), in the southern countryside of Damascus (دمشق).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Naval bombardment
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Iranian military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (24) [ collapse]