DAMASCUS — Israel carried out airstrikes against three Iranian-linked military installations near Homs in central Syria on Thursday, killing at least six IRGC military advisers and destroying a weapons depot, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and two regional intelligence officials briefed on the operation.
The IDF confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted infrastructure used by the IRGC and allied militia groups planning attacks against Israel. The IRGC confirmed three of its advisers were killed and said they were “avenging martyrs” — language typically followed by retaliation operations.
Syrian state media reported air defense systems engaging the incoming missiles. Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran — Switzerland represents US interests in Iran — to protest what it called Israeli aggression. Russia called an emergency UN Security Council session.
The strikes came 72 hours after an Israeli civilian was killed by cross-border fire from the Syrian Golan Heights. Israeli officials said the retaliation was proportional and deliberately avoided Russian-installed air defense systems in the area.
Iranian-backed militia groups in the area have been repositioning assets eastward since the January ceasefire, moving weapons and personnel deeper into Syrian territory to avoid Israeli surveillance. Israeli intelligence estimated the sites struck held components for precision-guided munitions being assembled for transfer to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The IRGC’s Tasnim news agency identified one of the killed advisers as Colonel Mohammad Hosseini. He is the most senior IRGC officer killed inside Syria since February 2023.
Oil prices rose 0.8% to $122.40 per barrel on the news before settling at $121.80.
Written by Layla Hassan, Middle East Correspondent
Layla Hassan
Layla Hassan covers Middle East politics, conflict, and diplomacy from the Gulf to the Levant.