Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes Friday night near the coastal Syrian village of Zama in the Jableh countryside, killing a civilian and injuring at least two others, according to local reports and emergency responders.
The strikes targeted facilities belonging to the Syrian military’s 107th Brigade, located in the Ain al-Sharqiya district, adjacent to the village. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said one man died after being hit by shrapnel while riding a motorcycle on a road near the barracks.
“He happened to be passing by at the same time as warplanes launched the airstrikes,” the White Helmets said in a statement issued Saturday. The team recovered the victim’s body and transported it to Jableh Hospital.
Shortly after arriving at the scene, rescue teams received reports of two more injuries within the village itself. A White Helmets ambulance crew treated the wounded, who said they had been standing on their balconies when the explosions occurred. Both were also transferred to Jableh Hospital for further treatment.
Israel Cites Threat to Maritime Navigation
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted weapons storage sites near Latakia that allegedly housed missiles they allege are “threatening maritime navigation.” The military said the operation also hit surface-to-air missile components in the area, asserting the need to maintain “freedom of action” and prevent “threats” to Israeli and international shipping.
The Friday night strikes marked Israel’s first confirmed Israeli airstrike on Syrian territory in nearly a month. In a statement, the Israeli army said it “will continue to operate to maintain freedom of action in the region.”
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not released a formal response yet, but has previously condemned similar actions. In a March statement, the ministry accused Israel of undermining Syria’s post-conflict recovery and called on international bodies to press Israel to halt such operations and respect Syrian sovereignty.
Civilian Casualties Raise Alarm
Syrian state media, including the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) and Al-Ikhbariya, confirmed civilian casualties, reporting one death and several injuries in both the Jableh and Tartous countryside. The raids struck multiple sites across the western coastal region, including the vicinity of Burj Islam, Ras Shamra, and areas north of Tartous.
This latest strike comes amid a backdrop of indirect talks between Syria and Israel, with both sides reportedly seeking ways to reduce regional tensions. Despite this diplomatic overture, the strikes indicate the volatility of the situation, especially along Syria’s western corridor, which hosts strategic military infrastructure.
While Israel maintains that its operations are defensive and focused on halting weapons transfers and missile development, Friday’s events add to a growing toll of civilian harm resulting from ongoing hostilities in the region.
