Israeli Warplanes Kill at Least 23 in Syria Attacks

Israeli Army reports dozens of strikes


Israeli warplanes carried out a series of attacks against targets inside Syria on Wednesday. Israeli officials say they launched dozens of “very intense” attacks, targeting the Syrian Army and Iran’s Quds Force.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 23 people were killed in the attacks, including 21 fighters and two civilians. They added that 16 were “non-Syrian,” though it’s not clear if they were actual Iranians, or simply Shi’ite militias from other countries, which the Israeli generally label Iranians.

This follows reports on Tuesday night that both sides had traded a few missile firings, and each side had intercepted pretty much everything fired. Israel made it clear they blamed Iran for that.

On Wednesday, Israel targeted several air defense systems in and around the area. Some of the Israeli planes were attacking from Lebanese airspace.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.