Israeli Jets Strike Scientific Research Center in Damascus – Reports

The research center targeted in Damascus was reported to have been the Barzah Scientific Research Facility, or Institute 2000. The center, alleged by the US to have been connected to Syria’s chemical weapons program, was targeted in joint US, French and British strikes in 2018.

An OPCW inspection of the facility in 2017 prior to the attacks found no evidence of prohibited chemicals, or any violations of Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. A followup inspection in 2018 allegedly detected traces of a schedule 2 chemical, although later testimony by OPCW whistleblowers accused the agency of tampering with Syria-related investigations and inspections to try to justify foreign aggression.

Israel has heavily bombed Syria in recent months following the surprise December disintegration of the Assad government, wiping out the country's air defenses and major military assets and setting up a large 'buffer zone' inside Syrian territory far beyond the previously occupied Golan Heights.

These actions have led to an escalation of tensions between Israel and Turkiye - the new Syrian government's top ally and sponsor, prompting frantic calls in Israeli media for urgent military action to prevent Ankara and Damascus from forging a strategic alliance.