Israeli Strikes On Syria's West Coast Kills Two Syrian Soldiers

Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday killed two Syrian soldiers and injured six more, according to state media, citing a military source.

The source detailed the attack originating from the Mediterranean Sea and targeting Syrian air defense installations in Tartus on the West coast.

"At exactly 17:22 (14:22 GMT) this afternoon, the Israeli enemy carried out strikes," stated the official news agency SANA. "The aggression led to the death of two soldiers and wounded six others," it continued.

Throughout the course of more than a decade of conflict in Syria, neighboring Israel has launched numerous airstrikes within Syrian territory. The operations have predominantly focused on Iran-backed forces, Hezbollah militants, and Syrian military positions.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization monitoring the conflict, reported that the airstrikes on Wednesday also hit a weapons depot associated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The British-based monitor, which maintains sources within Syria, confirmed the fatalities of the two soldiers. Additionally, an unidentified fighter was killed "in attacks believed to be Israeli missile fire."

Israel typically refrains from commenting on specific airstrikes carried out in Syria. However, it has consistently asserted its stance of preventing Iran, a key supporter of the Syrian government, from expanding its influence in the region.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, it has resulted in the deaths of over half a million people, originally sparked by the suppression of pro-democracy protests.