Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu offered condolences to his Syrian counterpart Ali Ben Mahmoud Abbas following the deadly attack on a military school in Homs, as reported by RIA News. Shoigu condemned terrorism in the strongest terms, noting that its victims included many women and children who were present at the facility.
Reports at the time indicated that the death toll from the drone strike on the Homs military school had risen, with figures reaching up to about 100 victims, according to the Syrian Human Rights Council. A large share of those killed and wounded were relatives of Syrian soldiers who had been invited to attend the graduation ceremony at the school, and among the casualties were women and children.
During the graduation ceremony, Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmud Abbas was present, with the broadcast scheduled to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The event underscored the broader regional tensions and the ongoing impact on military communities in Syria.
Separately, on October 3, the Israel Defense Forces conducted air strikes against positions held by the Syrian Armed Forces in eastern Syria. The strikes resulted in injuries to two Syrian soldiers, illustrating the continuing volatility and cross-border security challenges in the region.
Earlier, Syria had urged Turkey to withdraw its troops from the country, calling for a reduction in outside military involvement amid the conflict and the associated humanitarian concerns.