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Damascus – The Syrian Network for Human Rights:
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Israeli occupation forces launched a series of airstrikes targeting the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Umayyad Square, in the center of the capital Damascus, one of the most densely populated areas in the City.
The first raid began at 12:30 p.m. by what is believed to be a drone, without causing any direct casualties. This was followed, at around 3:15 p.m., three consecutive air strikes were carried out by warplanes on the same building, the third of which killed three people, including Ms. Arij Ayman Al-Ra’i, and injured at least 34 civilians with varying degrees of severity, in addition to causing extensive damage to the Ministry of Defense Headquarters’ building. The area surrounding the People’s Palace – the presidential resident – was also targeted by a fourth strike, with no confirmed reports of casualties.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) continues to monitor and document violations committed by Israeli occupation forces inside Syrian territory, including airstrikes, incursions, ground raids, and related repercussions. This includes civilian casualties, arbitrary arrests, attacks on medical and media personnel, destruction of property, and encroachment on agricultural land and infrastructure within the targeted areas.
The targeting of the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Umayyad Square is a dangerous escalation, both in terms of the nature of the target and its location within a vital civilian area.
It is worth noting that on July 15, 16, and 17, 2025, southern Syria witnessed Israeli occupation aircraft carrying out a series of airstrikes targeting the governorates of Suwayda, Daraa, and the Rif Dimashq, which focused on the locations of Internal Security forces and of the Syrian Transitional Government’s Ministry of Defense, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.
