Regional tensions escalated on Saturday, February 28, after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran, targeting several sites in the capital Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Iran responded by firing dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel as part of a wide ranging retaliatory operation.
Immediately after the attacks began, Israeli authorities announced the closure of the country's airspace, shut down schools, and declared a state of emergency, as sirens sounded across multiple cities.
Southern Syria under fire
Enab Baladi's correspondent in Suwayda reported that two people were killed after parts of an Iranian missile fell in the city's industrial zone, amid ongoing missile exchanges between Iran and Israel across the region.
Correspondents in Damascus and its countryside said Syrian airspace witnessed the flight of warplanes believed to be Israeli, attempting to intercept Iranian missiles over Syrian territory.
In Daraa, southern Syria, an Iranian missile's debris fell on agricultural land in the town of Inkhil after being intercepted by Israeli air defenses, without causing human or material damage.
Our correspondent added that explosions continued to be heard in western Daraa province since the early morning hours, alongside persistent flights of warplanes and drones.
In Quneitra province, southern Syria, a missile landed in farmland between the villages of Ghadir al-Bustan and al-Hiran, without resulting in casualties or property damage.
Calls to follow safety guidelines
The Syrian Civil Defense issued a security warning amid the ongoing regional and international military developments, urging civilians to adhere to public safety instructions in anticipation of any emergency.
The Early Warning and Preparedness Department at the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management called on residents not to approach any unidentified objects or fallen debris, to seek shelter inside buildings when hearing explosions, and to stay away from windows and exposed rooftops.
Authorities also stressed the importance of avoiding gatherings at impact sites, reporting any fires caused by falling military objects, and informing the relevant authorities about any suspicious items.
Syrian skies empty of air traffic
Enab Baladi monitored flight tracking data on Flightradar24, which showed Syrian, Iraqi, and Iranian airspace largely devoid of civilian air traffic, reflecting the sharp escalation in regional tensions.
The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary closure of southern air corridors following the start of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
In a statement issued on Saturday, February 28, the authority said the closure would begin at 12:00 p.m. and last for 12 hours.
The measure aims to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety, according to the statement.
Air traffic during the closure period will be redirected through approved alternative routes to guarantee the continuity of operations in line with international regulations.
The authority added that it is monitoring developments around the clock and will announce any updates as they arise.
Trump: Major combat operations begin in Iran
The US president announced the start of what he described as major combat operations in Iran in a recorded address on Saturday, February 28, appearing in a cap bearing the name of the United States.
He said the objective is to protect the American people by eliminating what he called imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.
The president added that the operations would destroy Iran's naval fleet and ensure that Tehran does not acquire nuclear weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named the operation "Roar of the Lion," describing it as far more powerful than the previous operation.
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of the first wave of large scale missile attacks on Israel.
