Israel has been attacking virtually all its neighbors on a near daily basis to the point that full-scale regional war looms. Now Israel looks to be picking fights beyond the region, targeting Russia’s regional presence in Syria.
On Tuesday, an Iranian cargo plane arrived in Latakia with humanitarian aid for the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fleeing the Israeli ground invasion. The aid was ultimately delivered to a warehouse in the city of Jableh, near the Russian air base of Hmeimim.
Early Thursday, the warehouse became a primary target for Israeli strikes, when dozens of missiles were fired at it and the area nearby. Russian air defenses were activated and reportedly knocked some of the missiles and drones down, while others reached their targets.
Russia has long warned Israel to keep its air incursions out of western Syria, with its Russian air assets. To date, this has been enough to keep Israel focused on Syria’s south and east, but apparently no longer.
Israeli media speculates the Iranian flight contained ammunition or explosive not just aid. Reports of explosions in the area following the Israeli drone attacks have only added to this belief.
Israel has not officially commented on what it is targeting, nor has Russia commented on the matter, although Russia is unlikely to accept Israeli attacks in and around their bases going forward.
