Israeli Strikes in Syria Kill 92 Pro-Iran Fighters, Deadliest to Date, Says UN

BEIRUT, November 22, 2024 – Israeli airstrikes on Syria’s Palmyra this week have killed 92 pro-Iran fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes, which targeted three sites in Palmyra, also struck a meeting of pro-Iranian groups, including commanders from Iraq’s Al-Nujaba group and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The death toll includes 61 Syrian fighters, 27 foreign nationals, and 4 Hezbollah members. The strikes also hit a weapons depot in the city, known for its proximity to ancient ruins. The UN’s Najat Rochdi described the attack as “likely the deadliest Israeli strike in Syria to date.”

Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria, targeting Iranian-backed forces, and has vowed to prevent Iran’s influence from expanding in the region. Tensions with Hezbollah have escalated following the outbreak of full-scale war in neighboring Lebanon in late September.