Suspected Israeli Airstrike Kills Two Senior IRGC Commanders and Five Advisers

Suspected Israeli airstrikes in Damascus have killed two high-ranking commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and five of its advisers, the IRGC has confirmed. 

It reported a statement that at least five advisers of the IRGC were killed alongside Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Zahedi’s deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi. 

Zahedi played a central role in the supply of Iranian-made missiles to Hezbollah and had been subject to US sanctions as early as 2010.

Previously, he had served as the head of Iran’s air force and ground forces, and played a significant role in quelling the Iranian protests in 2019.

Hossein Akbari, the Iranian ambassador to Syria, emerged unharmed from the airstrike, believed to be the fifth Israeli assault on Syrian targets within five days.

Speaking to Iranian state TV, he said that the strike was done by six missiles launched from F35 fighter jets. 

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, attributed the attack to Israel, branding it a violation of international conventions. 

He urged for a collective international response.

Faisal Mekdad, Syria’s foreign minister, condemned the airstrike as a "terrorist attack" resulting in the loss of innocent lives, including that of the Iranian generals. 

Despite Israel's aggression on Syrian territory, he affirmed Syria's unwavering allegiance to Iran.

Videos aired on Iranian state TV showed smoke billowing from the remains of a completely razed building. 

An Iranian flag hung from a pole amidst the debris, while nearby cars bore the scars of damage inflicted by falling debris.

Earlier, Syria's official SANA news agency reported that their air defense systems engaged enemy targets in the vicinity of Damascus.

“The attack destroyed the entire building, killing and injuring everyone inside, and work is under way to recover the bodies and rescue the wounded from under the rubble,” the Syrian defence ministry said.

The attack follows recent Israeli airstrikes reported by the Observatory, resulting in 53 casualties in Syria, including 38 soldiers and seven members of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

According to the monitor, this marks the highest toll on the Syrian army in Israeli airstrikes since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, 2023.