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Israel strikes Syrian missile bunkers, IDF to stay in Golan Heights during winter

IDF struck warehouses and Scud ballistic missile launchers in Qalamun as well as military facilities in Barzeh in northern Damascus

A fighter of the ruling Syrian body inspects the damage at a military site, in the aftermath of an Israeli strike according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 14, 2024 | Reuters

Israel on Saturday struck military sites in Damascus and its outskirts. These included underground missile bunkers beneath a mountain, according to a Syrian war monitor.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that Israeli Air Force (IAF) destroyed rockets, depots and tunnels under a mountain. Israel also struck warehouses and Scud ballistic missile launchers in Qalamun, according to the organisation.

The war monitor added that Israeli forces destroyed military and scientific facilities in Barzeh, which is in northern Damascus. They also attacked a military airport on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

This comes after back-to-back strikes by the IAF targeting strategic capabilities of the Assad regime in a bid to prevent advanced weapons from reaching the hands of the rebels who ousted the previous government. IAF earlier targeted chemical weapons and air defence systems possessed by the Syrian military.

On Friday, Israel hit a missile base atop Mount Qasioun in the capital city, the Sweida airport in South Syria and research labs in Hama's Masyaf.

Meanwhile, the IDF's 210th Bashan Regional Division will reportedly stay in the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and camp atop Mount Hermon along the buffer zone with Israel. Earlier, reports alleged that Israeli tanks crossed the Qunaitra town in the buffer zone and stopped near Qatana, which is 21 km from Damascus.

IDF has acknowledged that its forces have carried out over 350 strikes targeting Syrian military facilities.

The United Nations has urged Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone, with Secretary General Antonio Guterres saying he was "deeply" concerned by the violations. The UN base near Mount Hermon is within the buffer zone.

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