At least 15 people were killed and 16 others wounded on Thursday when Israeli airstrikes hit a western neighborhood of the Syrian capital Damascus and a nearby suburb, according to Syria’s state news agency. Sanaa.The strikes targeted the neighborhood of Mazzeh and the suburb of Qudsaya in the northwest of the city.

Sanaa reported that two buildings were hit, including a five-story structure in Mazzeh, where a rocket hit the basement. The airstrikes caused severe damage to buildings and emergency crews were seen working at the scene.

The Israeli military says it targeted terrorist infrastructure

The israeli army confirmed the airstrikes, saying they targeted infrastructure sites and command centers used by the Islamic Jihad militant group in Syria.

The military said it caused significant damage to the group’s command center and operatives. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized their ongoing operations against what they called terrorist organizations in the region.

The Damascus attack came shortly before Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was to meet with representatives of Palestinian factions at the Iranian Embassy in Mazzeh.

The Israeli military emphasized that Islamic Jihad played a role alongside Hamas in the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, which led to Conflict in the Middle East.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirms losses

A Palestinian spokesman Islamic Jihad The group said the airstrike in Mazzeh hit one of their offices, killing several members of the organization. The official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the strike targeted key members of the group. The group vowed to fight back against what they called Israeli aggression.

Sanaa also reported that Syrian air defenses were activated against a “hostile target” south of Homs. No further details were provided regarding the air defense interception. Syria’s air defense systems have previously faced criticism for failing to stop some Israeli strikes.

Iran’s role in Syria

Iran, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assadit was crucial in supporting the Syrian government during the country’s civil war.

Tehran has sent military advisers and fighters from various Middle Eastern countries to support Assad’s forces. Iran has also provided significant economic aid to the Syrian government, including billions of dollars in fuel and lines of credit.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria, primarily targeting members of Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon and officials from Iran-backed groups.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press