The devastating drone attack on a Syrian military academy highlights the ongoing violence and instability in the country’s civil war.

On 5 October 2023, a drone attack on a military academy in Homs, Syria, resulted in the deaths of at least 78 people, including nine civilians. The attack targeted a graduation ceremony attended by cadets’ families, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that most of those killed were military personnel, with a child of an officer and a woman among the civilian fatalities.

The army quickly blamed “terrorist groups backed by known international forces” for the attack, but there was no immediate claim from the rebels and jihadists involved in the country’s civil war. The drone attack is believed to have been launched from opposition-held areas northwest of Homs.

In addition to the drone attack, first responders from the White Helmets reported that five civilians were killed in intense government artillery and missile strikes on several cities, towns, and villages in the opposition stronghold of Idlib province. This further highlights the ongoing violence and instability in the region.

Syria’s state news agency, Sana, released a statement from the General Command of the Armed Forces, condemning the drone attack as an “unprecedented criminal act.” The statement affirmed that the armed forces would respond with full force and determination to these terrorist groups wherever they are.

The exact origin of the drone attack remains unknown, with a man who had helped set up decorations at the site stating, “We don’t know where it came from, and corpses littered the ground.” This lack of clarity adds to the complexity and challenges of addressing the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The devastating drone attack serves as a stark reminder of the violence and suffering endured by the people of Syria. It highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the country’s civil war and the importance of international efforts to promote stability and protect civilian lives.