DAMASCUS: Israeli strikes destroyed the Iranian embassy’s consular annex in Syria on Monday, killing and wounding everyone inside, Damascus said. Iranian state TV reported that a Revolutionary Guards commander was among those killed in the attack.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, reported that eight people were killed when “Israeli missiles… destroyed the building of an annex to the Iranian embassy.”
Israel has not immediately commented on the attack, which occurred amid heightened tensions over its ongoing bombardment campaign in Gaza.
AFP reported that the annex building collapsed, with emergency services responding to treat the wounded and search for victims beneath the rubble. The incident took place in the upscale Damascus district of Mazzeh.
Syria’s defense ministry stated that “the attack destroyed the entire building, killing and injuring everyone inside,” with efforts underway to recover bodies and rescue survivors.
Iranian state TV confirmed the death of a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, among others.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later confirmed the death of a high-ranking Quds Force leader for Syria and Lebanon, along with two Iranian advisors and five members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This strike marks the fifth in eight days to hit Syria
Earlier the SANA news agency reported that “our air defense systems confronted enemy targets in the vicinity of Damascus.”
Iran’s Nour news agency stated that “Hossein Akbari, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, and his family were unharmed in the Israeli attack.”
Following the attack, Ambassador Akbari condemned Israel, stating that “the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate shows the reality of the Zionist entity,” accusing it of disregarding international laws.
Syria Condemns Israeli Attack
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad denounced the strike as a “heinous terrorist attack” targeting innocent people.
Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, insisting the attack will not affect relations between the two allies.
“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus killing a number of innocent people,” Mekdad said in a statement carried by the Syrian official news agency SANA. “The Israeli occupation entity will not be able to impact ties between Iran and Syria,” the minister added.
Israel has frequently targeted positions in Syria, including those of forces such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
The strike in Damascus comes after recent Israeli attacks reported by the Observatory, resulting in 53 casualties, including soldiers and Hezbollah members.
