DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL

Israeli drone strikes killed at least six Syrian soldiers who were attempting to neutralize surveillance devices in the southern Damascus suburb of Kiswah, Syrian state media reported Wednesday.

Syrian army units discovered surveillance and listening equipment during nighttime field searches Tuesday near Al-Mani' Mountain, according to al-Ekhbariya TV. Israeli drones targeted the area as Syrian forces worked to neutralize the devices.

The outlet reported that several soldiers were killed in the attack, with additional injuries and damaged vehicles. Israeli strikes continued until Wednesday evening to prevent Syrian forces from accessing the area.

Syrian army units managed to destroy part of the surveillance systems and evacuated bodies of fallen soldiers from the location.

The Israeli army also staged several incursions into the Quneitra countryside in southern Syria, despite international calls for halting violations of Syria’s sovereignty.

Following the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime last December, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes targeting military sites and assets across Syria, including fighter jets, missile systems and air defense installations, according to reports.

Israel also expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Ba'ath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

A new transitional administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa was formed in January.