Syria Claims Israeli Missile Attacks Killed At Least Three Soldiers
On Sun., at least three Syrian soldiers were killed and three others wounded as "multiple" missile attacks hit the countryside near the capital, Damascus, and the coastal province of Tartous. According to Syrian state media, the strikes were carried out by Israel.
Facts
- On Sun., at least three Syrian soldiers were killed and three others wounded as "multiple" missile attacks hit the countryside near the capital, Damascus, and the coastal province of Tartous. According to Syrian state media, the strikes were carried out by Israel.
- Syrian military sources stated that its air defense downed some of the missiles, but two of them hit the country after entering from the southeast of Beirut and from the Mediterranean sea respectively.
- While outposts serving Lebanon's pro-Iranian Hezbollah group were reportedly the target in Damascus, an Iranian base near Abu Afsa is said to have been the focus of the attack in Tartous - a port also home to a Russian navy base.
- The allegation comes after years of Israel carrying out airstrikes against allegedly Iranian and Iran-backed targets in Syria, where Tehran has been deploying forces since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011.
- In response to these attacks, a drone on Mon. attacked a US base in al-Tanf, eastern Syria, but caused neither casualties nor damage. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but reports suggest it could have been carried out by Iran.
- Earlier in July, Syria accused Israel of barraging airstrikes against military positions around Damascus, that claimed the lives of eight people, wounded seven, and resulted in material damage.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Voa, ABC, and Reuters.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Syria has become a major threat to the very existence of Israel as Iran and Hezbollah have expanded their presence in the country. In response, Israel has adopted a "war between wars," targeting Iranian and Iran-backed military presence and weapons that have been positioned in Syria to attack Israel.
- Narrative B, as provided by SANA. Israel is continuing to violate international law and treaties as well as the sovereignty of its neighbors through routine aggression. The UN Security Council must act to halt Israeli defiance of internationally agreed norms to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
