Israel launches airstrikes on the Syrian capital of Damascus

By Daniel Estrin,

Steve Inskeep

Published July 17, 2025 at 6:18 AM EDT

Israel launched airstrikes Wednesday on Syria's capital of Damascus, saying it targeted the Syrian military headquarters and near the presidential palace in response to attacks on the Druze minority.

This segment originally aired July 16, 2025.

NPR News

Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

See stories by Daniel Estrin

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Steve Inskeep

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