Israel strikes Iranian targets inside Syria

World Today

Israel and Iran faced off inside Syria in what is being described as the most intense volley between sides since Syria’s unrest started in 2011.

CGTN’s Stephanie Freid reports.

Syrian and Russian news sources say eleven people were killed during dozens of Israeli air strikes inside Syria.

Israel is sending a clear message to the Iranians: We won’t allow Iran to entrench in Syria. That is how Israel’s intelligence minister explained dozens of airstrikes early Monday on what Israel says were Iranian weapons supplies, Russian made missile and anti-aircraft launchers and Syrian air defense systems near Damascus.

“We are taking action against Iran and also the Syrian forces who are aiding Iran’s aggression,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The strikes were in response to a surface to surface missile launched Sunday by what Israeli intelligence says were Iranian forces operating in Syria.

The missile was intercepted near a local ski resort in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

Despite Israel’s immediate claim of responsibility, responses from Damascus, Moscow and Tehran have been muffled aside from Iran’s air force chief threatening to wipe Israel off the map.

“Whoever tries to hurt us will get hurt. Whoever threatens to destroy us will bear the full brunt of that threat,” Netanyahu said.

As Iran and Israel draw “red lines” on the Syria and Lebanon fronts, analysts are asking whether this is a war of words or a path leading to broader engagement.

 

<hr /><h4>Mike Walter discusses Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets inside Syria with Ryan Bohl, Stratfor Middle East & North Africa analyst.</h4>