Israel Attacks Damascus, Areas South

Syrian air defense intercepts missiles

For the first time in a months, Israel carried out a missile attack against Syria, targeting the capital city of Damascus and suburbs in the southern region near the border.

Syrian state media reported that air defenses were activated and intercepted a number of missiles.There is no report yet on damage caused or any casualties. State media reported earlier that there were only material losses.

As always, Israel has not commented on the attack, nor what they hoped to accomplish. Reports of Syrian operations against ISIS in the south may have Israel keen to get the military near the border.

The last strike was September 17, where Israel attacked the Damascus Airport, killing five.Israel has been attacking Syria for years, and while claiming neutrality in the war, Israeli officials conceded they preferred ISIS to the Assad government.

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.