Israel Downplays Significance of Attacking Syria

Bombing Damascus Not Aimed at Helping Rebels

by | May 6, 2013

Multiple bombing strikes against the Syrian capital city of Damascus over several days left at least 42 people dead, multiple military targets destroyed, and Syria complaining it amounted to a “declaration of war.”

One would think that would go without saying, except that Israel insists that it wasn’t, downplaying the significance of attacking Syria and insisting it hadn’t raised tensions between the long-time rivals.

The Israeli statements, which are coming in the context of them refusing to officially admit they attacked Syria in the first place, center around rejecting the claim that the attacks were aimed at helping Syria’s rebel forces.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has reportedly ordered the deployment of rocket batteries aimed at Israel in response to the attacks, but officials are also insisting that no retaliation is imminent and that Syria will “choose the moment” for it.

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