Israeli Air Strike Wounds Syrian Soldiers In Deir Ezzor

The Syrian defense ministry reported that an Israeli air strike has left two Syrian soldiers wounded near the eastern city of Deir Ezzor. The attack occurred shortly before midnight on Monday (2100 GMT) when Israeli forces conducted air strikes on positions held by Syrian armed forces, according to an official statement from the Syrian defense ministry. This incident is part of a pattern of Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory, which has been ongoing for over a decade. Israel has frequently targeted positions held by Iran-backed forces, Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army installations as part of its security strategy in the region. In a recent development on September 21, Israeli tanks shelled "two temporary structures" that were allegedly being used by Syrian troops, in violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria. Israel seldom provides detailed comments on individual strikes in Syria but has consistently asserted its stance against Iran's efforts to expand its presence in the region. Militias affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards maintain a significant presence in Syria, particularly along the border with Iraq and in Deir Ezzor province, south of the Euphrates. The conflict in Syria, which has been ongoing since 2011, has resulted in the loss of over half a million lives. It initially began as a response to the violent suppression of pro-democracy protests but quickly evolved into a multifaceted and protracted conflict, drawing in jihadists and international actors. The situation in Syria remains highly complex and volatile, with various regional and global powers involved, making it a continuing source of concern for stability in the Middle East.