Israeli warplanes have carried out an attack against the port of Latakia in Syria on Monday night, causing loud explosions in the area and starting fires in the shipping container yard.
Details are still emerging, though Syrian state media reported the fires have been extinguished and that there were no deaths in the strikes. Air defense systems were active and intercepted some of the missiles.
It is uncommon for Israel to attack Syrian targets in Syria, and they usually style themselves as targeting Iran, which is to say Shi’ite groups. Latakia isn’t often targeted.
This could be an issue in Israel-Russia relations, as in the past Russia has warned Israel away from the Syrian coast, where most of Russia’s operations are. It’s not clear if Russia was consulted before this attack, but if not that might be a serious provocation to them.
So now, if Russia deems this worthy of notice and launches against Haifa, what will Sleepy Joe do? …commit America to full on war with Russia on the basis of an incident provoked by Israel?
It is almost cliche…
SHOOT THEM DOWN!
Indeed, Syria’s air defense is asleep at the wheel. Don’t they have some vaunted Russian equipment? Or did they decide the port wasn’t worth defending?
The Israelis are careful to use standoff weapons.
Twitter shows the Israelis used Lebanese air space. The pictures show limited damage. Probably not good value for the missiles.
Israel continues to kick the hornets nest…
Hopefully someday they’ll ge stung.
never again!
Sometimes getting stung is what it takes though I do feel effective negotiations are the best alternative…
Never gain!
“It’s not clear if Russia was consulted before this attack, but if not that might be a serious provocation to them.”____ Russia has been silent so far…. Meaning they would not do a damn thing about this…!
As my cynicism increases with age, I actually anticipated the timing of such an evil provocation from Israel. Like the timing of the Syrian war and Ukraine coup (called “revolution of dignity,” LOL). As Russia became more assertive, Victoria Nuland worked hard to destabilize Ukraine and Syria in concert with Israel and Turkey. Russia is in a difficult situation without obvious solutions. Its friendship with Israel and Turkey seems important enough to keep despite lots of scratches to their face. “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way.” –Mark Twain.
You’re right, but I can’t see that Russia has much to loose by jettisoning Israel? …is there a parallel Zionist lobby in Moscow? …the negatives seem almost as great as with the US. ??
Zionist lobbies are a fantasy.
And yet they file IRS 990 forms, hold conventions, etc.
LOL IF only. why is all US foreign policy based on what Israel wants???
“evil provocation”-destroying enemy weapons before they can be deployed is self defense.
So you’d have no problem with the Iranians laying down a barrage of ballistic missiles on e.g. Ramat David air base, then?
Latakia is a Russian strong point in Syria.