Israel Launches Most Intense Airstrikes of the Year Across Syria
In one of the heaviest aerial bombardments since the start of 2025, Israeli warplanes unleashed a wave of 18 coordinated airstrikes across Syria overnight, targeting military sites from Damascus to Latakia.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israel launched 18 airstrikes across various parts of Syria from Friday night into early Saturday, May 3, in what has been described as the most intense aerial assault carried out by Tel Aviv on Syrian soil since the beginning of the year. According to Syria’s state news agency (SANA), the attacks resulted in one fatality and injuries to four others.
The Israeli army confirmed the operations, stating in an official communique that it had "carried out airstrikes targeting military installations and underground missile infrastructure in Syria." A post on the Israeli military’s official X platform further emphasized that these operations are part of an ongoing campaign "to defend Israel."
SANA reported that Israeli jets struck areas in and around Damascus and its countryside, with several confirmed casualties. Multiple local sources stated that Israeli warplanes targeted the 41st Brigade near Harasta in northeastern Damascus and also bombed Barzeh Street in the northern part of the capital.
Further reports revealed that Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on the headquarters of the Syrian army’s 1st Division, as well as targets in the central city of Hama and the Jabal Sha’ara military zone in Latakia province. In total, Israeli jets struck Harasta four separate times.
In the southern province of Daraa, Israeli warplanes reportedly bombed a missile battalion in the northern parts of the city, alongside the 175th Brigade near Azra’, as well as an air defense unit in the northeastern countryside of Daraa.
Local sources also confirmed Israeli aircraft flew over Damascus, Daraa, Homs, and Hama during the operation, with an Israeli helicopter reportedly hovering above Suwayda before retreating toward the Golan Heights.
According to Russia's TASS news agency, an Israeli drone targeted ground positions near Suwayda in southern Syria, killing at least three people. Other local sources stated the drone strike hit Syrian security forces under the control of the newly formed authorities, stationed in the Kanaker area. Those forces were reportedly involved in a recent security operation aimed at restoring order in Suwayda province, a majority-Druze region, following internal unrest.
Prior to the attacks, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv was preparing for potential strikes on Syrian regime military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz approved new targets inside Syria.
Following the overnight raids, Netanyahu declared that "Israel’s airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus sent a clear message to the Syrian regime." He stressed that Israel would not allow harm to come to the Druze population in Syria, warning that Tel Aviv would act decisively against any attempts to threaten them.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric issued a strong rebuke of the Israeli airstrikes, particularly the assault near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus. He said the Secretary-General was "deeply concerned by the attacks and condemns them as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty." Dujarric underscored the need to "respect Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity," and urged all parties to de-escalate and avoid further provocations.
The unprecedented scope and coordination of Israel's aerial campaign have drawn regional and international scrutiny, raising concerns over further destabilization in an already volatile region.
