Prominent Syria businessman killed in Israel strike, security sources say

Prominent Syrian pro-regime businessman, Baraa Katerji, was killed in an Israeli strike near the Lebanese-Syrian border on Monday, three security sources told Reuters.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the strike.

Katerji was part of a small circle of businessmen close to the ruling Assad family who rose to prominence during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 after the government of President Bashar Al-Assad cracked down on popular protests.

Along with his brother, Hussam, Katerji built a business empire associated with oil, logistics, transport and construction.

The brothers and their businesses are under US sanctions, including for “facilitating petroleum shipments and financing to the Syrian Regime,” according to the US Treasury website.

Israel has carried out near-daily airstrikes in Syria and neighbouring Lebanon since Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israeli border communities and its ensuing military operation in Gaza.

Other groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah and fighters in Syria and Iraq have been firing on Israel since shortly after 7 October in what they have dubbed a “support front” to draw away Israeli fire from Gaza.

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