After years of undermining the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al Assad, an effort that has seen Israel countenance ISIS training camps near its borders and launch recurring missile strikes on Syrian territory and its army bases while threatening to bomb Assad’s palace, the simmering conflict between the two nations broke out into the open once again overnight.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that Israeli Air Force fighters conducted a missile strike against a Syrian base after a missile was fired at Israeli jets on a routine aerial reconnaissance mission in Lebanese airspace, Russia’s news agency Sputnik reports.
No people were in injured, and the Israeli jets returned safely, but not before attacking an anti-aircraft battery east of the Syrian capital of Damascus.
As usual, The IDF blamed the Syrian government for the incident, however, presenting no proof to support the claim. Damascus has yet to comment on the situation.
Earlier today,an anti-aircraft missile was launched from Syria towards IDF aircraft during a routine flight over Lebanon. No hits confirmed
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2017
In response, IDF aircraft targeted the anti-aircraft battery in Syria.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2017
The Syrian regime is responsible for the anti-arcraft fire.The IDF maintains its ability to thwart hostilities against Israeli civilians
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2017
Following several incidents earlier in the year, a de-escalation zone had been created covering territories near the Syria-Israel border in the south of the country. The agreement was reached following the first talks between Putin and US President Donald Trump at G-20 summit.
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Today’s incident is the latest in a series of similar provocations that have been taking place between the two countries. Israel has claimed to have been repeatedly shelled from the Syrian territory bordering the country and retaliated for the attacks it blames on Damascus, despite the fact that terrorist groups have been controlling parts of bordering territories throughout Syria with some suggesting that Israel cultivates said terrorist organizations. A de-escalation zone had been created on territories near the Syrian border with Israel in the south of the country. The agreement was reached following the first talks between Putin and US President Donald Trump at G20 summit.
Most of the incidents took place in the Golan Heights, internationally recognized as Syrian territory that was seized by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967 with the peace treaty never signed. In 1981, the Israeli parliament voted to annex two-thirds of the Golan Heights. The United Nations has stated on several occasions that Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights is illegal, calling for it to be returned to Syria.
Top photo | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaches to one of the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets after it landed during an unveiling ceremony upon arrival in Nevatim Air Force base near Beersheba, Southern Israel, Dec. 12, 2016. The arrival of Israel’s first two F-35 stealth aircraft highlighted the Obama administration’s commitment to providing its ally with the latest U.S. military advances. (AP/Ariel Schalit)