Six Syrian soldiers were killed in Israeli drone strikes near Damascus, according to Syrian state media. The attack reportedly targeted a military building in Kiswah, west of the capital, with the death toll initially reported as three before rising to six. The strikes come amid ongoing US-mediated talks between Syria and Israel aimed at easing tensions in southern Syria, where Damascus seeks a security agreement that could lead to broader political negotiations.

Recent days have seen further escalation, with a young man killed in an Israeli strike on a home in the village of Taranja, and Syria condemning what it describes as repeated Israeli attacks and incursions into its territory. Syrian officials have accused Israel of violating international law and threatening regional peace and security. Israeli troops have been operating in southern Syria since late 2024, focusing on preventing weapons from reaching hostile groups. Israel's defense minister has stated that troops will remain in Syria to protect the country's northern border.