DAMASCUS, Syria (BN24) — Israeli drone strikes near the Syrian capital of Damascus killed six Syrian soldiers this week, according to Syria’s government, in a series of escalating military actions that Damascus condemned as violations of international law and its national sovereignty.
Syria’s foreign ministry denounced the strikes, which took place Tuesday, calling them “a blatant breach” of Syrian territory and international conventions. The attack occurred as Syrian forces were investigating surveillance and eavesdropping devices found during a routine field tour near al-Kiswah, state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
The strikes were followed by a rare airborne operation on Wednesday at a former Syrian military facility in the same area, according to both international media outlets and Syrian state sources. Details of the landing remain unclear, with conflicting reports on the duration and nature of the Israeli presence at the site.
SANA stated that multiple Israeli aircraft conducted strikes, after which “an airdrop took place, the details of which are yet to be determined.” A military source told Al Jazeera that dozens of Israeli troops were involved in the operation and remained on the ground for over two hours, equipped with advanced search gear. Reuters cited two Syrian army officials who confirmed the landing occurred but provided no additional information on its outcome.
Israel’s military declined to comment on the reports. However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted Thursday on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that Israeli forces are “operating in all combat zones day and night for the security of Israel.”
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the latest incidents are part of a broader Israeli campaign inside Syria that has intensified in 2025. SOHR reports that Israel has conducted 95 military operations this year alone, including 85 airstrikes and 10 ground incursions.
The reported Israeli operation took place just 10 kilometers (six miles) from where Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was attending the Damascus International Fair on Wednesday, further raising tensions amid regional instability.
The Damascus government has accused Israel of systematically targeting military and strategic positions within Syria since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, when a coalition of Islamist-led rebels formed a transitional government. Israel has maintained that its actions are aimed at preventing weapons and advanced military systems from reaching extremist groups operating near its border.
The latest incidents also come amid renewed deconfliction talks between Israel and Syria, aimed at preventing unintended escalation along their shared border. Despite the diplomatic efforts, recent events have underscored the fragility of the situation.
In July, Israel launched strikes on Syrian military positions in the southern province of Suweida, following reports of sectarian clashes. At the time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation targeted forces and weaponry that the Syrian government allegedly intended to use against the local Druze population. Damascus condemned the strikes, reporting casualties among both Syrian military personnel and civilians.
The Druze community, a religious minority that practices a distinct offshoot of Shia Islam, exists in both Syria and Israel. The July airstrikes marked one of the most serious cross-border escalations involving the Druze since the Syrian conflict began.
As the region remains locked in a cycle of military action and retaliation, the international community has expressed concern over the risk of boader conflict. The Israeli government has not indicated any change in its operational posture, and Damascus continues to demand international accountability for what it describes as acts of aggression.
Credit: BBC
Ruben Amorim apologizes after Manchester United’s shocking League Cup exit to Grimsby Town
MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Under-fire Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly apologized to supporters following a stunning and humiliating League Cup elimination at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town. The fourth-tier club pulled off one of the most improbable upsets in recent memory on Wednesday night, edging United 12-11 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Amorim, who took charge last season amid high expectations, admitted the defeat was a low point for the club and suggested that the performance revealed far more troubling issues beneath the surface. “Everything is so important in this club. We should do so much better,” Amorim said in the post-match press conference. “I just have to say sorry to our fans.”
United’s evening at Blundell Park began in disarray, as the visitors fell behind 2-0 before halftime in what Amorim described as a listless and unfocused start. Despite a spirited late comeback — capped by Harry Maguire’s 89th-minute equalizer — the Red Devils ultimately faltered in the marathon penalty shootout, with Bryan Mbeumo’s miss sealing their fate.
Reflecting on the collapse, Amorim did not hold back in his assessment of his squad’s mentality. “The players spoke really loud today about what they want,” he said, alluding to a lack of hunger and desire among the team. “The way we started, we were not even here.”
As the pressure mounts on the Portuguese manager, he indicated that the international break would serve as a time for deep reflection, both for himself and the club. “It doesn’t matter that we lost on penalties. Football was fair today. The best team won,” Amorim admitted. “That is more than a result. That is the biggest problem in the team.”
The loss leaves Manchester United’s hopes of domestic silverware hanging by a thread, with the FA Cup now the only realistic avenue for a trophy this season. Amorim, visibly frustrated, lamented the repetition of fundamental errors and his own inability to provide answers. “I would like to say very smart things and important things. I have nothing to say,” he said. “That’s the biggest problem too. Seeing the same mistakes and having nothing to say. I’m really sorry for our fans.”
He also acknowledged that expectations around the club had outpaced its current capabilities, emphasizing the limits of what could be achieved in a single transfer window. “It’s too much sometimes. You cannot change everything in one summer,” Amorim said. “But you need to win games. You need to avoid this kind of performance. I think this is a little bit the limit.”
With questions swirling about his future and the direction of the club, Amorim’s candid remarks have only intensified the spotlight on Old Trafford, where patience is wearing thin and results remain elusive.
Credit: Sky Sport