Women and children were among the dead from Tuesday night’s attack on the Mezzeh neighborhood, which is home to the Iranian embassy and other diplomatic establishments, according to the ministry. The military in Israel has not responded.
The number of fatalities was reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights to be 13, comprising two members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, an important supporter of both the Syrian government and Iran, and nine civilians.
Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” leaders were known to frequent the flat where the strike took place, according to the UK-based monitoring outfit.
Three missiles struck the structure, according to a military source quoted by Syria’s official news agency, Sana.
Images taken at the scene showed first responders assessing serious damage to first-, second-, and third-floor residences.
Living in the building, Adel Habib, 61, is an electrician. “I was on my way home when the explosion happened and communications and electricity were cut off, so I could no longer contact my family,” Habib told news agency.
“Until I heard my wife, kids, and grandchildren’s voices, these were the longest five minutes of my life.
