Syria’s war monitor said today that Israel has carried out heavy airstrikes in Syria and its troops have advanced into the country, reaching within 25 kilometers of the capital. Israel has denied claims that its troops entered Damascus.
Associated Press reporters in Damascus heard heavy air strikes throughout the night and today in the city and its suburbs. Images circulating online showed destroyed launchers, helicopters and fighter jets. There was no immediate comment from rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which holds Damascus.
Israel previously occupied a roughly 400-square-kilometer buffer zone inside Syria that was established after the 1973 West Asia war. The move came after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Israel also said it was attacking suspected chemical weapons sites and to prevent heavy weapons from falling into the hands of extremists. Israeli officials rarely acknowledge such attacks.