Israel Strikes Damascus After Syrian Missile Defense Fires On Aircraft
For the third time in as many weeks Israel has reportedly bombed positions inside Syria. Syrian state media along with multiple regional outlets showed fires burning at a facility near the Damascus international airport in the early hours of Friday. Israeli newspaper Haaretzreports that like with previous attacks, Israel jets fired from over Lebanese airspace. But it appears the latest exchange was part of a tit-for-tat exchange of fire between Syria and Israel in a situation that continues to dangerously escalate.
Multiple reports are circulating that the Israeli attack was initiated after Syria’s aerial defense missile system engaged and fired on an Israeli aircraft in the area. Video of what purports to show Syrian missiles firing on the aircraft circulated widely in Syrian social media and was picked up by Lebanese and Israeli news outlets. Early reports indicate that an Israeli drone was likely the target.
It appears that Israel’s attack came in response to Syria’s engaging the unidentified aircraft – though it’s unclear if the target was hit. This latest incident is unique for the fact that Syria quickly publicized that its missile defense system engaged the Israeli target.
The Facebook page of a prominent Syrian pro-government militia reported in the early morning hours that, “an area near the Damascus international airport was attacked by a hostile missile.” Israeli newspapers are claiming the site to be an ammunition storage depot.
Early Friday morning images of the aftermath of the Israeli strike circulated in regional media. Image source: Jerusalem Post via Syrian social media.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
