Israel’s Attacks on Damascus refer to strikes carried out by the Israeli military on 27 August 2025 against the Syrian capital Damascus and its surrounding areas including the Kiswah district and Mount Manea. The operations targeted Syrian military barracks, buildings under the Ministry of Defense, and former military bases. It was reported that between six and eight Syrian soldiers were killed and many others were wounded.
Attacks on the Kiswah District
On 27 August 2025, the Israeli military targeted the Kiswah district south of Damascus. The attacks were conducted using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to official Syrian sources and local observers, six to eight Syrian soldiers were killed and numerous others wounded in the strikes.
Syrian state television Al-Ikhbariya reported that the targeted soldiers were conducting a field sweep in the area and had discovered surveillance and listening devices. It was stated that Israeli aerial strikes were launched as forces attempted to intervene with these devices.
The attacks did not only target patrolling soldiers but also military training centers in the region. Israeli UAVs reportedly conducted at least four strikes on a military training facility in Kiswah, while intensive reconnaissance flights were carried out over Damascus during the same period. The arrival of other Syrian units deployed to the area following the attacks was delayed due to the strikes.
Aerial Attacks on the Center of Damascus
Later that same day, Israeli air forces launched a new wave of strikes against Mount Manea and its surroundings south of Damascus. These attacks began after the initial aerial strikes in Kiswah in the afternoon and continued throughout the night.
In central Damascus, buildings belonging to the Ministry of Defense and military vehicles were targeted by Israel. According to reports in the Syrian press, a total of nine separate aerial strikes were carried out against buildings and assets under the Ministry of Defense.
Israel’s Troop Insertion into the Region
Following the aerial strikes on the night of 27 August, the Israeli military launched a new operation in the Kiswah area southwest of Damascus. The operation focused on a former air defense base and former army barracks near Kiswah as well as Mount Manea.
According to Syrian state media and military sources in the region, the Israeli military deployed troops using four helicopters. The inserted units brought equipment for reconnaissance and search operations. After establishing positions in the area, Israeli soldiers remained on the ground for more than two hours without engaging in direct combat with Syrian forces.
The locations targeted in the attacks are known to have been strategically used in the past by both the Syrian military and Iran-backed militias. The former air defense base was assessed by Iran during the Bashar al-Assad era, while Mount Manea has served as a critical elevated position for pro-Iran militia military outposts.
After the operation, Israeli forces withdrew from the area, but Syrian sources indicated that Israeli troops may have left behind some equipment.
During the hours of the operation, Syrian sources reported that President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended the opening of a fair near Damascus, approximately 15 kilometers from the strike zone.
Syria’s Response
The Syrian government condemned the Israeli attacks. In statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, it was emphasized that the strikes constituted a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.
The Damascus administration stated that Israel’s such operations not only target Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also endanger regional security and stability. It therefore called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to halt Israel’s recurring attacks.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also declared that the country would not relinquish its right to defend its territory and people under the framework of international law. The statements highlighted that Israel’s military operations deepen conflicts in the region and lead to widespread instability.
The ministry specifically noted that the targeting of Syrian soldiers during the 27 August attacks in Kiswah amounted to a “direct attack on the Syrian Arab Army” and stressed that the international public must not remain indifferent to this situation.
Israel’s Position
An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment on the attacks, stating, “We do not comment on foreign reports.” In contrast, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in his remarks that the Israeli military would maintain an indefinite presence in the necessary security zone to protect the Golan and Jilil settlements from potential threats emanating from Syria.
Following reports that Israeli forces had deployed troops via helicopters near Damascus, Katz made an indirect statement on the social media platform X. In his post, he wrote, “Our forces are active around the clock on all fronts to ensure Israel’s security.”
