'Israel' hits Syrian military HQ in Damascus, strikes Sweida
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"Israel" conducted airstrikes on Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus and military positions in Sweida and Daraa, as sectarian clashes intensify in southern Syria despite a declared ceasefire.
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Smoke rises after and Israeli drone launched an airstrike on the entrance of the Syrian Ministry of Defense, Damascus, Syria, July, 16, 2025. (Social media)
Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus, while also targeting a military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces in the city of Sweida.
The Israeli Occupation Forces struck the entrance of the Syrian regime's General Staff headquarters in the capital Damascus, as local media reported Israeli aircraft were seen flying in the skies over the city.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike targeting a military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces in the city of Sweida, in a new field development in southern Syria.
According to Syrian Observatory sources, several loud explosions were heard in the area, though no confirmed details on casualties or damage have been reported so far.
Syria's SANA news agency confirmed civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli occupation's airstrikes on the city.
Renewed attacks on Damascus
A Syrian local source reported that six strikes directly hit the General Staff building, resulting in severe structural damage. The building has reportedly been evacuated alongside the General Authority for Radio and Television due to the intensity of the attack.
Other strikes reportedly targeted the Tishreen Presidential Palace and the People's Palace compound, where the transitional phase president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, is said to reside. At least three airstrikes hit the area surrounding the People's Palace, with unconfirmed reports suggesting direct hits.
Syria's Health Ministry confirmed 13 injuries in the initial toll, while videos circulating on social media platforms show the extent of destruction in central Damascus.
Meanwhile, Israeli media, including Channel 14, reported that the Israeli occupation forces were preparing for extended operations in Syria and were redeploying troops from Gaza to the occupied Golan Heights. Two military divisions are expected to reinforce the Golan front.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa is expected to deliver a televised address later today as the country assesses the fallout from the escalation.
'Israel' attacks Syria amid sectarian clashes
These airstrikes come hours after intense Israeli aircraft activity in southern Syrian airspace, coinciding with ongoing tensions and clashes inside Sweida city for the third consecutive day.
Local sources told Al Mayadeen that Israeli occupation warplanes conducted multiple airstrikes hitting supply routes used by military groups linked to Syria's transitional Defense Ministry, both near the city of Sweida and in areas surrounding Daraa province.
The sources confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes directly targeted Thaala military airport, causing casualties among stationed forces, while also hitting positions and gatherings of armed factions linked to Syria's Transitional Ministry of Defense during two separate strikes on the 52nd Brigade east of Daraa.
Violent clashes have broken out again in southern Syria's Sweida despite this week's ceasefire announcement, as Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported Wednesday that the truce agreement 'was not implemented' and that combat has escalated in intensity.
