Syria says Israeli airstrikes on military facility killed 2 soldiers

Israel is believed to have carried out several raids inside Syria since 2013, mostly targeting its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, a key ally of the Syrian government.

The attack came as Israel’s military is holding a large-scale drill in the north of the country, simulating a future war with Lebanon.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has rarely confirmed or commented on such strikes.

Syria’s army command said the attack took place at 2:42 a.m. and involved missiles fired from Lebanese airspace.

The Israeli Defense Forces refused to comment on the report.

Previously, Israeli military planes were also carrying out airstrikes on the Syrian government forces.

Tensions between Israel and Syria increased after reports that Israel hit a research center responsible for developing chemical weapons near the city of Hama.

Reuters said an Israeli army spokeswoman refused to discuss the reported strike.

Israel sees red lines in the shipment to Hezbollah of anti-aircraft missiles, precision ground-to-ground missiles and chemical weapons.

Israel says that Iran is seeking to open a new front against Israel on the Syria-Israel border.

“Weapons systems have been transferred from this organisation (the Scientific Studies and Research Centre) into the hands of Hezbollah during the years”, he said.

Even before the outbreak of the war in Syria, the bombed centre was on Israel’s radar. “Every day, there are explosions and people being killed in Syria and it is a matter concerning only the Syrians”, he said.

The Syrian government demanded the Security Council denounce Israel’s aggression and act to prevent future acts of belligerence it claimed could harm the fight against ISIS and other terror groups.

During their meeting in Berlin, Rivlin told Merkel that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese militia, is building “weapons infrastructure” that “will force Israel to react”, according to a statement released by the official President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Earlier this week, United Nations investigators said they had concluded the regime was behind a chemical weapons attack last April on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikouh in which 83 people were killed.

But while Syria and Hezbollah were the two groups directly affected by the alleged Israeli airstrike, they aren’t the only people operating out of the country.