Damascus, In the latest escalation since the Gaza conflict outbreak on Oct. 7, Israel conducted an aerial strike on a key Syrian air defense base in southern Syria. The attack, near the airport, occurred one day after flight operations resumed. The Syrian military reported intercepting some missiles with material losses. Israel has intensified strikes on Iranian-backed militia targets, including Syrian army air defenses, since the October attack by Hamas. The recent strikes are believed to have targeted a defense base and radar station in Sweida province, southwestern Syria.
Israeli military experts suggest that these actions aim to hinder Iran’s growing influence in Syria, where Tehran has supported President Bashar al-Assad since the civil war’s onset in 2011. The intensified Israeli campaign targets Syria’s air defense systems, possibly linked to Iran’s efforts to enhance Syrian defenses against Israeli strikes. The conflict’s potential spread and calculations related to the Gaza war contribute to the heightened tensions in the region.
Israel has a history of targeting Iran-linked entities in Syria. The strikes reflect a strategic effort to curb Iran’s expanding presence in Syria, with Iranian-allied groups holding significant sway in various regions. The current actions are seen as part of a low-intensity conflict with the overarching goal of impeding Iran’s entrenchment in Syria.
As of now, there has been no official comment from Israel’s military, and Reuters could not independently verify the Syrian reports. The situation adds to the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, with ongoing concerns about the broader implications of these actions.
By Reuters
