SOHR: 23 pro-Iranian fighters killed in strikes in Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which monitors the war and has an extensive network of sources in Syria, said at least nine airstrikes overnight near the border with Iraq killed 23 pro-Iranian fighters, including five Syrians, four members of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, six Iraqis and eight Iranians.

The report said that the raids were most likely carried out by Israel, although it was previously indicated that they were most likely the work of the Americans.

A US military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the US did not conduct any defensive strikes overnight.

The SOHR said the strikes targeted military positions in and around Albu Kamal in Deir ez-Zor province, adding that an arms shipment from Iraq and an ammunition depot were also hit.

Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes once morest Syria, but they have repeatedly said they will not allow their bitter enemy Iran, which supports the government of President Bashar al-Assad, to expand its position in the country.

Also on Saturday, the SOHR said “Israeli missiles hit warehouses and bases of pro-Iranian groups” near the airport in the main northern city of Aleppo, killing four foreign fighters.

Syrian state media, citing a military source, reported that around 5 p.m. 20 minutes local (4:20 p.m. Lithuanian) time, “Israel’s enemy launched an air strike (…) targeting several points south of Aleppo.”

During Syria’s more than decade-long civil war, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes inside its territory, mostly targeting Iranian-backed forces, including Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army positions.

But since the war with Hamas began on October 7, it has intensified its attacks.

On Saturday, Hezbollah announced the death of four of its fighters, but did not say when or where they were killed.

Israel and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, regularly exchange fire across the border in southern Lebanon.

Separately, overnight Israeli bombing in Syria’s southern Quneitra province, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killed two fighters from a group linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, the UK-based group said.

Israel’s military said it carried out several strikes in Syria following two rockets fired from the country hit areas under its control.

There has also been an increase in attacks on US forces in the Middle East, which Washington blames on pro-Tehran groups.

Most of them were claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of armed groups that oppose US support for Israel.

Late Saturday, the SOHR reported attacks on two US military bases in Deir ez-Zor province. It said the missile and drone attack was carried out by Iran-backed groups.