Suspected Israeli Drone Strike Reported in Eastern Syria

Drone strike hit a vehicle entering Syria near the Syria-Iraq border

On Thursday, a drone strike was reported in eastern Syria near the Iraq-Syria border. Iraqi media reports said the strike hit a military shipment that entered Syria from Iraq and attributed the attack to Israel.

Reports described the drone strike as “rare” since it was carried out in daylight. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the vehicle was near the Syrian city of Abu Kamal when it was hit. The crossing the vehicle passed through is used by Shia militias. No casualties or damage has yet been reported.

Israel frequently bombs Syria, but the Israeli military rarely comments on the attacks and is staying quiet on Thursday’s incident. The Israelis label any target they hit in Syria as Iranian, although they usually strike Iraqi Shia militia fighters and often kill Syrian troops.

Israel stepped up airstrikes in Syria in the final days of the Trump administration. In early January, Israel carried out one of its deadliest attacks in Syria, killing at least 57. US officials told the media that the attack was carried out with US intelligence assistance.

The first Israeli airstrikes in Syria of the Biden administration took place shortly after inauguration day. The strikes reportedly hit residential areas and killed four civilians. Last week, alleged Israeli airstrikes hit a military outpost in southern Syria.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.