Explosion near Damascus airport as Israel strikes Quneitra
Shafaq News – Damascus (Updated on September 3 at 23:49)
A powerful explosion hit a military base near Damascus International Airport on Wednesday, sending plumes of smoke into the sky, Syrian media reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the cause of the blast was unclear, with no confirmation whether it was the result of an attack or leftover munitions. State-run Al-Ikhbariya later attributed the explosion to war remnants.
مراسل الإخبارية: انفجار مخلفات حرب قرب مطار دمشق الدولي#الإخبارية_السورية pic.twitter.com/d9XvR6IYdX
— الإخبارية السورية (@AlekhbariahSY) September 3, 2025
Meanwhile, Israeli forces carried out new strikes in the countryside of Quneitra province. According to the state-run SANA agency, several shells struck an abandoned post east of the town of Bariqa. Israeli units also advanced into the Tel Krum and al-Asbah areas, establishing a checkpoint and searching homes.
SANA reported that five shells targeted the deserted al-Tawahin post east of Bariqa, and two Israeli military vehicles entered Tel Krum amid heightened alert along the separation line.
A convoy of 16 Israeli vehicles also crossed today from the occupied Golan through the Ashsha gate into al-Asbah village, where a checkpoint was set up and houses were searched, while drones flew overhead.
The Syrian government condemned the operations, saying they obstruct efforts to restore stability and violate both international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement.
Later, Shafaq News correspondent reported that a separate explosion shook the Mazzeh 86 district in Damascus, prompting security forces to seal off the area.
Damascus Police Chief Brig. Gen. Osama Mohammed Khair Atkeh clarified in a press statement that the blast was caused by an explosive device targeting a member of the Internal Security Forces, stressing that no casualties were recorded. He added that the competent authorities have launched an urgent investigation to identify the perpetrators.
