Israeli Airstrike Claims Lives Of Two IRGC Generals In Syria

In the latest Israeli airstrike targeting Syria, Brigadier Generals Panah Taghizadeh and Mohammad-Ali Ataei (Shoorcheh) of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed.

The IRGC confirmed their deaths, stating that the generals were on an "advisory" mission in Syria. The Guards' Sepah News website reported, "Mohammed Ali Ataei Shoorcheh and Panah Taghizadeh... were martyred by the Zionist usurper enemy while conducting an advisory mission in the Syrian Islamic resistance front," without providing further details.

Israeli airstrikes hit several areas on the outskirts of Damascus early Saturday, causing "material losses," according to Syrian state media. The strikes targeted the southern Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, where Hezbollah-affiliated forces operate. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported two Syrian citizens and two foreigners killed, with five others wounded.

Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes in Syria since the civil war began in 2011, focusing on Iran-backed forces, Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army positions. The recent surge in attacks aligns with the Israel-Hamas conflict that started in October.

The incident is expected to heighten tensions between Israel and Iran, a key supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas. Iran has warned of the conflict's potential spread to other regional areas. Israel remains concerned about Iran's military presence in Syria and is committed to preventing Iranian entrenchment along its northern border.

During the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has targeted Syria, impacting international airports in Damascus and Aleppo for over a month. Iran has played a significant role in supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad throughout the 12-year civil war, deploying fighters to tip the balance in Assad's favor. Despite Tehran maintaining a military advisory role, numerous Iranian Revolutionary Guard members have lost their lives in the Syrian conflict.