- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A powerful explosion rattled a former military base near Damascus International Airport on Wednesday, Syrian state-run daily Al-Thawra reported, citing official sources. The cause of the blast has not yet been confirmed, and no information has been released regarding possible casualties or damage.
While Syrian authorities remained cautious, initial reports suggested the explosion may have been triggered by an Israeli airstrike targeting the outskirts of the airport. The incident adds to a series of escalating confrontations between Israel and Syria in recent weeks.
Alongside the Damascus blast, Syrian state media reported fresh Israeli strikes in Quneitra province. According to SANA, five shells struck the deserted al-Tawahin post east of the town of Bariqa. Israeli units were also reported to have advanced into the Tel Krum and al-Asbah areas, setting up a checkpoint and searching homes.
Witnesses described a convoy of 16 Israeli vehicles crossing from the occupied Golan Heights through the Ashsha gate into al-Asbah village, while drones circled overhead. Two Israeli military vehicles were also seen entering Tel Krum amid what appeared to be heightened military activity along the separation line.
Conflicting Reports Over Cause
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the exact cause of the Damascus explosion remains unclear, noting that it could have been an Israeli strike or a detonation of leftover munitions. Later, state-run Al-Ikhbariya attributed the blast to war remnants.
This confusion highlights the fog of war that surrounds military activity in Syria, where strikes have become increasingly frequent. Just last week, Israeli drone attacks near Damascus killed six Syrian soldiers, according to government sources. Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as violations of international law and breaches of its sovereignty.
Escalation And Israeli Response
Reports on Wednesday also claimed that Israeli forces conducted an airborne landing at a former military site in the region, though accounts varied on the scope and duration of their presence. Israel’s military, consistent with its long-standing policy, declined to comment on the reports. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that Israeli forces “are operating in all combat zones day and night for the security of Israel.”
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has carried out dozens of attacks across Syrian territory. Israeli officials argue these operations are aimed at preventing advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of extremist groups.
