Syrian state media reported a flurry of airstrikes overnight Tuesday. The strikes came from Lebanese airspace, and appear to have been an Israeli attack, which hit and damaged several sites in southern and central Syria.
The Syrian military reported moving to intercept the incoming missiles, and that they had shot some down. Others hit, with media reporting large explosions. Details on what was hit aren’t clear, but Homs Province was apparently among the sites where explosions happened.
Interceptions aside, the fact that multiple targets were hit means we should expect casualties, potentially substantial ones. Despite this, Syrian state media has reported no casualties so far, instead saying that the strikes only caused material damage.
Israel attacking Syria is common, happening at least once a week. This strike is unusual for hitting multiple targets across the country, as usually individual salvos are targeting a single site at a given time.
As usual, Israel is not offering any details on why they attacked or what they targeted. Indeed, Israel makes it a policy to not comment on any attacks that were first reported in the foreign media, so any details we’re given are likely to come in the next few days from third parties.
It is transparent. Fury has no bounds now that Israel had to stand down in Gaza after it barely warmed up for main event. Egypt’s brazen medical teams and ambulances entry into Gaza during Israeli operation was made less blunt by calling it “mediation”. Now would Egypt dare take Israel on? Tie Biden’s hand — not wanting to chose sides? Israel and US blame Russia. So, a desperately brazen attack like none before.
It has zero military purpose. It is to punish Syrians for voting overwhelmingly for Assad. To punish Russia — telling Syrians Russia cannot protect you.
But just as the Gaza punishment was one punishment too much. and Egypt took advantage, so will these attacks on Syria reach their critical mass. An overreach is at hand. Knowing when to stop is an art Israel is tone deaf to,
You nailed it: “It has zero military purpose. It is to punish Syrians for voting overwhelmingly for Assad. To punish Russia — telling Syrians Russia cannot protect you.” Don’t worry, Biden already has new shiny missiles paid for by US tax payers on the way to replenish Israel’s inventory. You can’t let the middle east’s only “democracy” run out of missiles. They’re spreading “freedom, human rights, and democracy.”
Just once, I would like to see Russia intercede and shoot down a couple of Israeli fighters as they attack Syria. Just once. Then go to Defcon 1 as a way of telling us to keep the f*ck out of it. I am sure that there are hardliners in Russia who would do it.
I hear you, brother. But I understand Russia’s reluctance. See the last time Syria shot down an Israeli warplane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident.
Remember that Israel is looking for an excuse to drag the US into an armed conflict with Syria and Iran.
Just defending Israel from those evil Syrians. /s
Pure defense always loses.
They need to hit back. That could mean shooting down the launch points over Lebanon. that could mean hitting the air bases from which the launches come.
Larger War? That talk of “escalation dominance” has a long history of unexpected consequences, rarely good for the one so confident of control of dominance.
The other side gets a say, and they need not be fools when saying it.
This is what Netanyahu wants.
I’m sure Netanyahu has a form of escalation in mind, something he wants and hopes Assad will do.
That is not likely what the Russians, Iranians, Chinese, and Assad himself mean to give him. But something.
Nice planes, IDF. It would be a shame if some of Syria’s better defense systems were switched on and some of those planes were shot down. When you commit acts of war on a nearly daily basis, you have to expect to get hit back sooner or later.
Netanyahu desperately needs a war, Please blame him. We don’t say the US separated immigrant children from there mother’s. We say Trump did.
These monsters reap harm for their own country as much as they cause for others.
Well said.