Explosions in Damascus: Initial Reports Suggest Israeli Strikes

Explosions were heard in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday evening. Syrian media reported that the sounds of explosions were audible in the skies over the capital and its suburbs. Initial information suggests that the explosions were caused by Israeli strikes. Israeli media and the Syrian Observatory reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted a site in the vicinity of Damascus. Some sources indicated that the target was the scientific research center in Jamraya. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that an Israeli attack targeted an area around Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that Israeli missiles hit a location between the areas of al-Hama and Jamraya in Damascus, indicating that fires broke out at the scientific research center in Jamraya. Local media reported that the strikes targeted Iranian positions near the towns of al-Dimas and Jamraya to the west of the capital. A circulated video showed flames rising from the scientific research center in Jamraya. Russian news agency Sputnik reported that Israeli aircraft launched a number of air-to-ground missiles from the Golan Heights towards various sites in the Damascus countryside.