Drone Strike Kills Prominent Syrian Businessman Near Lebanon-Syria Border

An Israeli drone strike near the Lebanon-Syria border killed Syrian businessman Mohammed Baraa Katerji. Katerji, sanctioned by the US for ties to President Assad and the Islamic State group, was reported to have been targeted due to his funding activities and links with Iran-backed groups in Syria.

An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle near the Lebanon-Syria border has resulted in the death of prominent Syrian businessman Mohammed Baraa Katerji, according to pro-government media and an official from an Iran-backed group.

Katerji, who had been sanctioned by the United States for his close ties to Syrian President Bashar Assad and the Islamic State group, was killed when the drone hit his car in the Saboura area, a few kilometers inside Syria.

This incident comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group since early October, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The strike highlights Israel’s continued aerial campaign against Iranian entrenchment in Syria.