Tourists were seen visiting the Roman ruins in Palmyra, Syria, on May 11, 2023. — AP File
A war monitor reported that Israeli strikes on central Syria's Palmyra on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of four pro-Iran fighters, while Syrian state media mentioned an unspecified number of wounded individuals in the attack.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated, "Four non-Syrian fighters affiliated with pro-Iran groups were killed, and six others, including civilians, were wounded in a provisional toll from the Israeli strikes on Palmyra." The strikes reportedly targeted "a warehouse in the industrial area and a restaurant and buildings near the ancient city of Palmyra," according to the Britain-based Observatory.
State news agency Sana reported that an "Israeli attack... targeted residential buildings and the industrial area" of the city, famous for its ancient ruins. State television mentioned unspecified "wounded due to the Israeli attack that targeted the city of Palmyra."
Since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria, primarily targeting the Syrian army and Iran-backed armed groups, including Hezbollah. The Israeli military has intensified its strikes over the past year as hostilities with Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon escalated into full-scale war in late September.
Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has consistently stated that it will not permit Iran to expand its presence there.
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