Recent reinforcements from Iraq have arrived in the Syrian border town of Abu Kamal this weekend, and were attacked more or less immediately by Israeli warplanes, killing at least seven of them. The slain Iraqis were Shi’ite militia members, and Israeli media, in keeping with their coverage, labeled everyone “Iranian-backed.”
Israel hasn’t confirmed that they were behind this attack, though Israeli media outlets are treating that as presumptively the case. Israel attacks Syria often, and usually is targeting Shi’ite militias, so it is a safe guess.
The Iraq-Syria border was long controlled by ISIS, and Syria has sought help from Iraqi militia groups to maintain control over the area. So far, its just become another target for Israel, which has made targeting Shi’ites their focus.
Israeli officials have indicated that they intend to continue striking targets in Syria to force Iran out of the country. So far, neither Syria nor Iraq seems to be able to do anything to stop such attacks.
Yes, Iraq and Syria do not intend to provide excuses and distraction for US. Both want US troops out, and both must avoid giving US a pretext for “Iranians attacking Israel from Syria and Iraq”.
There is no ISIS there presently, though Israel ardently desires to revive ISIS story, and SOMEBODY is eager to have some losers paid to have their ”ISIS” headquarters in an abandoned barn somewhere, and cause a bit if news. ISIS was supposed to hug Iraqi-Syrian border, with eventually US recognizing the “legitimate “ Sunni aspirations. The story failed, and Trump was not to be outdone by Iraqi and Syrian forces pushing ISIS out — he became the ISIS vanquisher!
Now, as Iraq and Syria are holding border territories, Israel is finding Iranians there. Just to prevent both countries consolidating borders.
Other then occupying the region — Israel strikes cannot prevent border region consolidation. Nor are their strikes changing the process of Idlib dissolving into conflict between Turkey sponsored militants and the increasingly isolated western sponsored HTS and their White Helmets.
Noticed HTS attacking places IN Idlib? Why? To try to consolidate what is left of their territorial control by attacking more vulnerable militants and forcing them to remain under their control. This in the long run will fail. Turkey controlled militants are not following HTS control. Since there is no Syrian and Russian forces attacking Idlib — Western tears over Idllib have dried up. It will be hard for them to start the waterfalls if Turkey has to react to HTS provocations. In the end — will HTS be asked to take a last, heroic stand, so that a myth of crushed resistance can be created in the media? Or will Turkey manage to wheedle away enough fighters, and UK pucks up the HTS/Helmets duo for another romantic colonial nostalgia?