In the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel has launched an air raid on Iranian military positions in Aleppo, Syria. The attack, which caused some material damage, took place on Saturday, according to the Syrian Ministry of Defence.

According to a statement released by the Syrian state media, the Israeli aggression was initiated from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia. The attack specifically targeted several points south of the city of Aleppo. Pro-government radio station Sham FM reported that the strikes were in close proximity to Aleppo's airport, but the facility remained undamaged.

Ali Hashem, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, reported that it appeared the attacks in Aleppo were launched from the sea. Warplanes were reportedly positioned over the Mediterranean before launching missiles towards multiple targets within the city.

Israel has been involved in numerous air raids in Syria over the past decade, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces, including Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, and Syrian army positions. However, the frequency of Israeli attacks has intensified since the start of its military operation in Gaza on October 7, thereby creating heightened tensions in the region.

Hashem highlighted that the attack on Aleppo was not an unprecedented event, as similar incidents have occurred in the past. Attacks on Aleppo, Damascus, and the border area between Syria and Iraq, known as Albu Kamal, have been carried out in recent days. This pattern seems to be linked to the killing of the Iranian IRGC commander in Damascus and the group associated with the situation in Albu Kamal.

In a separate incident, Israeli forces conducted an air raid on a border town in southern Lebanon earlier on Saturday. This followed the claim by Iran-backed group Hezbollah that they were responsible for three attacks on Israeli military bases along the border. Reports suggest that there were no casualties in the Israeli strikes on Bint Jbeil, but concerns are rising over the risk of civilian casualties as residential areas are also being targeted.

The series of attacks in Syria and Lebanon occur amidst growing fears that Israel's war in Gaza could escalate into a larger regional conflict. The situation remains highly volatile, with ongoing tit-for-tat exchanges between Israel, Hezbollah, and other armed groups in southern Lebanon. As tensions continue to rise, the international community closely monitors the situation, hoping to prevent further escalation and restore calm to the region.