Iranian Guardian intelligence chief in Syria killed in Israeli strike in Damascus

2024-01-20T12:46:20.571Z

Highlights: Iranian Guardian intelligence chief in Syria killed in Israeli strike in Damascus. Among the four dead is General Sadek Omidzadeh, intelligence chief of the al-Quds Brigade. The air raid took place in the ultra-secure neighborhood of Mazzé, which houses the United Nations headquarters and several embassies to the west of Damascus. This cycle of attacks and responses marks a clear escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East since October 7, which is gradually transforming into a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that four of its members, including senior officials, were killed Saturday morning, January 20, in an airstrike attributed to Israel...

Iranian Guardian intelligence chief in Syria killed in Israeli strike in Damascus

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that four of its members, including senior officials, were killed Saturday morning, January 20, in an airstrike attributed to Israel in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least six deaths, including a Syrian civilian.

Civilians and members of the security forces gather in front of a building destroyed during an Israeli strike in Damascus, January 20, 2024. AFP - LOUAI BESHARA

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Beirut,

Paul Khalifeh

This is a big blow for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

Among the four dead is General Sadek Omidzadeh, intelligence chief of the al-Quds Brigade, the unit responsible for external operations of this elite corps, and his deputy.

The air raid took place in the ultra-secure neighborhood of Mazzé, which houses the United Nations headquarters and several embassies to the west of Damascus.

The four-story building targeted by the strike was completely destroyed, according to eyewitnesses cited by Syrian sources.

Towards a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel?

On December 25, one of the most senior officials of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Syria,

General Razi Moussavi

, was killed during an air raid in the town of Sayeda Zeinab, south of Damascus.

Iran responded to this attack attributed to Israel on January 16: the Revolutionary Guards announced that they had destroyed an Israeli “espionage headquarters” in Erbil, in the north, using several ballistic missiles. Iraq.

This cycle of attacks and responses marks a clear escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East since October 7, which is gradually transforming, in one of its dimensions, into a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

Also read [Live] Israel bombs the Gaza Strip and kills four Iranians in Damascus

Iranian Guardian intelligence chief in Syria killed in Israeli strike in Damascus

Iranian Guardian intelligence chief in Syria killed in Israeli strike in Damascus

Towards a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel?

Trends 24h

Latest