Israeli missile strike hits school in southwest Syria

An Israeli missile struck a school in southwest Syria early Wednesday morning which was reportedly used by pro-Iran militias as a base, according to media reports.

The Syrian regime's news agency, SANA, said that Israeli forces had targeted the school in the village of Al-Huriya, north of Quneitra, close to the occupied Golan Heights, without mentioning casualties.

It was not clear where exactly the origin of the missile or whether it was launched from land or air.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also reported a missile strike in the area, saying that Israel was "likely" responsible.

Israel rarely acknowledges individual strikes.

The SOHR and other media sources claimed the school was being used as a base by Iran-backed militias.

Iran, along with Russia, is a key backer of the Assad regime, and its militias have been present in southern Syria, particularly since the withdrawal of anti-Assad rebels in 2018.

Since 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Iran-linked militias in Syria, including the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions more since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-Assad protests.

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