Israel Strikes West Syria, Four Soldiers Killed

Attacks focus on small military posts

Continuing the trend of the past several weeks, Israel has again attacked Syria, targeting military posts around the country’s west, between Homs and Hama.

At least four Syrian soldiers were reported killed, and another wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed unnamed pro-Iranians were likely the target.

That’s a solid bet, because while Israel typically declines comment, they almost always justify attacks as targeting Iran. Israel officially won’t comment on attacks first reported in the press.

Syrian air defenses were active and intercepted several missiles. Israel attacked an air defense base in Latakia, causing damages.

Attacks in Latakia are risky as this is where Russia bases some of its forces. Russia has repeatedly warned Israel not to attack near them, but increasingly Israel seems to be ignoring that.

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.