Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus

Pedestrians pass by the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, on July 16, 2025. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A man riding a motorcycle passes by the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, on July 16, 2025. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the General Command building of the Syrian Army damaged in Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria. Syrian local media and witnesses said on Wednesday that Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Damascus, targeting high-profile government and military sites in a dramatic escalation. At least five missiles struck the Syrian Army's General Command headquarters and the defense authority compound in Umayyad Square, a symbolic heart of state authority. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shaab presidential palace situated on a mountain overlooking the capital.

The Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several adjacent government buildings and roads were left in ruins. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)