Alleged Israeli Airstrike on Syrian Arms Facility Near Damascus Claims 11 Lives
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Damascus, Dec 30 (NationPress) The number of fatalities from a devastating explosion at a Syrian arms depot near Adra Industrial City in rural Damascus has climbed to 11, predominantly comprising civilians, according to a war monitoring group.
As reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and local news outlets, search and rescue teams are actively working at the site to retrieve bodies and remove debris.
The explosion resulted in debris being scattered and caused substantial destruction to the facility linked to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad, as detailed by the Xinhua news agency.
Initial reports suggested that at least two individuals had perished, but the number of deaths continued to escalate throughout the day.
A video shared online depicted considerable devastation and numerous casualties.
UN Secretary-General Guterres emphasized that both Israel and Syria need to adhere to the stipulations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, which remains fully applicable.
"This is a pivotal moment -- one filled with hope and history, yet also marked by significant uncertainty," stated the UN Chief during a press briefing.
The observatory indicated that the suspected attack was part of Israel's persistent campaign to dismantle remnants of the prior regime's military assets.
This episode follows a series of reported Israeli strikes on sites affiliated with the former regime, as Syria's new administration fortifies its grip on power following the downfall of the previous government on December 8.
Earlier in December, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to halt any infringements on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During a press conference, Guterres condemned Israel's widespread air assaults on Syria aimed at eliminating strategic weaponry and military infrastructure, along with its forces' incursion into a demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
"These actions violate Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and must come to an end," he asserted.
