Following an attack on the Israel-Syria border by militants, the IDF stated on Twitter they “hold the Syrian regime responsible.” Those were not just idle words. On Monday, Israel hit multiple Syrian military targets in an unusually direct and public attack on the Syrian armed forces. Observation posts, anti-aircraft artillery, intelligence collection systems and command and control systems were all targeted by Israel in the retaliatory strike according to an IDF Twitter post.
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) confirmed Israel had launched strikes on their military positions towards the border town of Quneitra, but said they resulted in only material damage with no casualties.
It’s unclear if Syrian forces were the only ones targeted on Monday by Israel. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported airstrikes by unknown aircraft were also launched against Iranian forces and Iranian-allied Iraqi militia in Syria. Among the targets included weapons warehouses and bases. Israel has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to establish a military foothold in Syria, Israel’s neighbor to the north.
Monday’s military action comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again warned Israel’s enemies that his country responds to attacks. “When the issue is security, we do not rest even for a moment,” said Netanyahu in comments released by his office. “…We will hit anyone who tries to attack us and this principle applies to anyone who does attack us.”
On Sunday, the attackers came from Syria. Four terrorists were spotted trying to plant explosives near the security fence between Israel and Syria. The IDF Twitter feed said they fired at the terrorists and recorded a hit, while a follow-up post noted the IDF found weapons and a bag of explosive just 25 meters (82 feet) from the Israeli security fence. Said the IDF post, “We won’t allow any harm to Israel or our sovereignty.”
Recently, Israel has faced tensions to the north from Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon—including a foiled terror attack—and the south in Gaza.
In Monday’s comments, Netanyahu referenced not only the IDF’s foiling of the attack in Israel’s north, but also their counterstrike after rocket fire from Gaza. “And of course the matter with Lebanon is still in the air,” he noted.
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, August 3, 2020)