Israel launched its deadliest attack yet in Syria on Wednesday, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, killing 79 people in airstrikes targeting militiamen linked to Iran in Palmyra in central Syria.
53 of those killed were Syrian members of armed groups allied with Iran, while 22 others were non-Syrians, primarily members of Iraq’s al-Nujaba militia, the rights group said on Thursday. Four Hezbollah operatives were also among the dead and 34 people were injured, including seven civilians.
The attacks, which the Syrian Observatory attributed to Israel, targeted three sites in Palmyra, including an arms depot in the Al-Jam’iya neighborhood, another location near an industrial area, and a meeting place for leaders of pro-Iranian militias, including al-Nujaba members and a Hezbollah commander.
Some of the locations were near Palmyra’s famed Roman-era archaeological sites, according to initial reports.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense said 10 Syrian soldiers were killed in the strike, which caused significant damage to infrastructure and buildings in the surrounding area.
Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, which also attributed the strike to Israel, said residential buildings, an industrial area, and a militia headquarters were among the targets.
The Israeli military has not commented on the airstrike, consistent with its usual policy on such operations. However, the attacks have been ongoing for several years as the Jewish state continues to target Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iranian military infrastructure.
The attack follows strikes by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) earlier this month on nine targets linked to Iran in Syria. The strikes were intended to limit the operational capacity of Iran-affiliated groups accused of targeting US and coalition forces.
“Our message is clear. Attacks against US and coalition partners in the region will not be tolerated,” CENTCOM commander Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement on the strikes on November 12. “We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group known for its opposition to the Assad regime. highlight the roles of foreign-backed groups operating in Syria’s ongoing conflict, including those supported by Iran.