Explosion rocks military base near Damascus as Israeli forces advance in southern Syria

A powerful explosion shook a military base near Damascus International Airport on September 3, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting widespread speculation about its cause.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the origin of the blast remains unclear, with no immediate confirmation on whether it was the result of an airstrike or detonation of leftover munitions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iraqi media.

The incident occurred amid escalating tensions in southern Syria, where Israeli forces carried out fresh military operations in the countryside of Quneitra province, near the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Five shells struck the deserted al-Tawahin post east of the town of Bariqa, an area long abandoned but still of symbolic and strategic importance. Israeli ground units were also reported to have advanced into the Tel Krum and al-Asbah areas, where they established a military checkpoint and conducted house-to-house searches.

The operation included a convoy of 16 Israeli military vehicles entering Syrian territory through the Ashsha gate into al-Asbah village, with drones providing aerial surveillance throughout the maneuver.

The Syrian government condemned the Israeli operations, accusing Tel Aviv of deliberately escalating the situation and undermining regional peace efforts.

“These actions obstruct efforts to restore stability and violate both international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement,” the Syrian government stated.

There has been no official comment from the Israeli military regarding the Quneitra operations or the explosion near Damascus. However, Israel has routinely conducted airstrikes on Syrian territory, often targeting Iranian-backed forces and Hezbollah infrastructure, citing security threats.

By Vafa Guliyeva