Syria has condemned Israel over a drone strike that killed six of its soldiers in the Damascus countryside, describing the attack as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said the strike near the city of al-Kiswah was part of Israel’s “repeated aggressive policies” aimed at destabilizing the region. It called the attack a “grave violation of international law and the UN Charter” and urged the Security Council to compel Israel to halt its “continuous violations” against Syria, its people, and its institutions.

The ministry reaffirmed Syria’s right to defend its land and citizens “in accordance with the provisions of international law.”

The drone strike on Tuesday targeted Syrian army positions south of Damascus, killing six personnel. Syrian officials said Israeli forces also carried out raids in the Quneitra countryside, inside the disengagement zone in the occupied Golan Heights, killing one resident and arresting another.

Israel has stepped up military actions in Syria since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last December, launching hundreds of strikes on military sites, fighter jets, missile systems, and air defence installations. Following Assad’s flight to Russia, Israel also expanded its occupation of the Golan Heights, seizing the demilitarized buffer zone in violation of a 1974 disengagement agreement.

Assad’s departure ended nearly 25 years of his rule and brought an end to Ba’ath Party control, which had lasted since 1963. A transitional administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa took office in January.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army reported that one of its tanks caught fire during a “routine activity” in southern Syria on Wednesday due to what it called a technical malfunction. No injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation.