Intense Israeli airstrikes shake the Syrian coast, resulting in casualties and fires.

Israeli occupation aircraft launched a series of violent and unexpected airstrikes on military sites and surrounding civilian areas on the Syrian coast on the evening of Friday, May 30, 2025, specifically in the countryside of Latakia and Tartus. This resulted in the death of a civilian and injuries to three others in the village of Zama in the countryside of Jableh, in addition to significant material losses and large fires in several targeted locations. Official Syrian sources confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes targeted: - Zama village in Jableh countryside, where civilians were killed - Burj Islam village in southern Latakia countryside - Surroundings of Tartus port - Brigade 107 in Zama - Shamia barracks near Ras Shamra Palace in the vicinity of Latakia - Brigade 56 in Tartus countryside - Blata barracks near cement houses - Sites near Wahib factories - White Mina in Latakia city Warehouses containing missiles, reportedly of the "land-sea" type, were also targeted, with Tel Aviv claiming they pose a direct threat to international and Israeli maritime navigation in the eastern Mediterranean. The Israeli army officially announced that the strikes also targeted documents and land-air missiles, emphasizing that their operations aim to "remove any potential threat to Israel and its citizens." Interestingly, Israeli Channel 12 and sources close to the Israeli security establishment reported that foreign fighters usually stationed in these locations evacuated them shortly before the airstrikes, raising suspicions of intelligence leaks or prior coordination, and perhaps even hidden messages behind these precise-timed strikes. Media sources reported ground observations confirming intense enemy aircraft flights over the skies of Tartus, Latakia, Damascus, and Homs, coinciding with clearly audible explosions in various coastal cities. The shattering of glass resulting from the explosions caused injuries among civilians in some neighborhoods of Tartus. While these are the first airstrikes in about a month, they come amidst leaks about indirect negotiations Damascus is conducting with Tel Aviv through international mediation to contain the escalation. Some observers consider the timing of the strikes to carry sensitive political and security implications beyond direct military aspects, especially with reports indicating that most of the targeted sites were devoid of personnel and weapons. Local public reaction to the event was marked by questioning and concern, as some see these strikes as a prelude to a new phase of military and political pressure on Syria, while others warn of the possibility of repeated strikes in the coming days if balance is not restored in the regional arena. So far, there has been no direct official response from the Syrian leadership regarding the nature of the possible response or the political stance towards the strikes, as local and international circles await post-strike developments, especially with Israel's involvement in several hot fronts in the region and the possibility of expanding its targets within Syrian territories in the near future. The event brings back old and new questions about sovereignty, the effectiveness of Syrian air defenses, the feasibility of military alliances, and the role of international parties in curbing the open escalation on more than one scenario.