Israeli Airstrikes Hit East Syria, 14 Iranians and Iraqis Killed

Latest attacks hit Deir Ezzor Province

A new round of Israeli airstrikes hit Eastern Syria’s Deir Ezzor Province, killing 14 fighters from Iran and Iraq, and injuring a number of others, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This is the seventh Israeli attack in Syria in the past two weeks.

These latest attacks were presented as targeting Syrian military bases and a “chemical research lab.” There was speculation of chemical weapons development at the site, but there is no evidence being provided that this is actually the case.

Israeli attacks generally attack Shi’ite groups in Syria, and label them “Iranians” generally, whether they are from Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan. Israeli officials have indicated that such attacks will continue going forward.

Israeli attacks have been escalating in recent weeks, mostly hitting the same sorts of targets. Syria has mostly emphasized their ability to intercept  such incoming missile fire, though they only intercept a fraction of the overall salvos.

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.