January 20, 2024 | Flash Brief

Five Iranian Military Officers Killed in Syria

January 20, 2024 | Flash Brief

Five Iranian Military Officers Killed in Syria

Latest Developments

An airstrike killed five Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers in Damascus, Syria on January 20. Iran blamed Israel, which did not comment but has waged a multi-year campaign against Iranian entrenchment in Syria. The latest attack targeted a four-story building in the Mazzeh neighborhood of Syria’s capital. The casualties included General Sadegh Omidzadeh who was the intelligence deputy chief of the elite IRGC Quds Force. The attack followed rocket attacks from Syria into northern Israel and the Golan Heights over the past week.

Hours later, a drone strike on a car killed two people near Tyre, Lebanon, according to pro-Hezbollah Lebanese media outlet al-Mayadeen, which held Israel responsible. Reporting differs about whether the casualties included Hamas or Hezbollah operatives. Multiple news sources reported that Hezbollah commander Ali Hudruj died in the strike. Israel has not commented on the drone attack. Throughout the Gaza war, Hezbollah and allied Palestinian terrorist groups have made frequent cross-border attacks into Israel from southern Lebanon.

Expert Analysis

“The Gaza war is well into its fourth month, with the regime in Iran doing its best to open up a second front against Israel from Syria and Lebanon. The Israelis are doing what needs to be done to stave off that threat, whether through indirect diplomacy or military force.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Iran’s entrenchment in Syria continues to threaten Israel and the region. Iran has used Syria to fuel its proxies to launch attacks on U.S. forces and also to funnel weapons to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups. It is essential that Iran’s threats from Syria be confronted and deterred.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Iran Attacked Syria With Long-Range Missile In Message to Israel,” FDD Adjunct Fellow Seth J. Frantzman

“IDF Shifts Focus From Gaza To Lebanon, West Bank,” FDD Adjunct Fellow Seth J. Frantzman

“Israel Hints At Lebanon Ground Operations,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Hezbollah Iran Iran Global Threat Network Israel Israel at War Lebanon Syria