By Reuters | AFP
An Israeli airstrike hit next to the presidential palace in Syria鈥檚 capital Damascus on Wednesday, according to a Reuters witness, after the Syrian defence ministry and military headquarters were also attacked.
Earlier, Israeli strikes hit near the Syrian army and defence ministry headquarters in Damascus, the state-run Alekhbariya channel reported on Telegram, after Israel鈥檚 military said it stepped up attacks on the authorities with the declared aim of protecting the Druze minority from harm by government forces.
AFP correspondents heard a loud explosion echoing throughout much of the capital, shortly after a first air strike had targeted the same building in the city centre.
It marked the third day in a row that Israel has struck Syria where government security forces have clashed with local Druze fighters in the southern city of Sweida.
Security sources from within the defence ministry told Reuters that at least two drone strikes had hit the building and that officers were taking cover in the base