Israel targets pro-Iranian militia in Damascus

Israel has targeted a pro-Iranian militia in a drone strike in southern Damascus, according to The National News and agencies on May 9th.

The attack was carried out on May 9th against the Iraqi Al Nujaba militia backed by Iran in Damascus’ primarily Shia district, Sayda Zeinab.

Syrian state TV quoted a military official describing the attack, saying “Israeli military aggression targeted one building” with missiles at around 3am local time resulting in material damage but no casualties.

“Our aid defences repulsed the missiles of aggression and brought down some of them,” said the official.

Pro-Iranian groups shared photos of the damage describing it as an Al Nujaba liaison building.

Al Nujaba is considered the second-largest Iran-backed Shiite militia.

The attack marks the fourth Israeli attack against Iranian proxies since Israel and Iran came close to all out war in mid-April.

READ: Iran scales back military from Syria after Israel tensions

Both US and Israeli forces have targeted the Iran-backed group, with a US strike on January 4th killing an Al Nujaba commander in Baghdad.

Iran promised it would use its proxy groups to wage war against Israel in response to Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.

Iran launched over 300 missiles to Israel on April 13th, in response to Israel’s targeting of Iran’s embassy in Syria.

While the situation appeared to de-escalate Israel’s continued targeting of proxy forces loyal to Tehran continued to threaten fears of a wider regional war.

The National News / Agencies