Strikes set back Iran’s forces in Syria by a year, says Israel

Following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, Russia has positioned itself as a mediator between the Middle Eastern rivals as it has maintained good relations with both countries.

There have been no Israeli casualties.

Iran has not claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.

Israel took control over the Golan Heights that had belonged by Syria from 1944 after the Six-Day War in 1967. It was the first time Israel has directly accused Iran of firing toward Israeli territory.

“It’s in Israel’s interest to keep the conflict in Syria, where Israel has an overwhelming advantage”, Indyk said.

“This event is not over”, he said. Later, the Israeli media, citing the IDF, said that the local missile defense systems repelled a missile attack, which was supposedly staged by the Iranian Quds Force.

Later, within the early hours of the morning, explosions have been heard in Damascus, whereas reside pictures have been broadcast on tv exhibiting projectiles above the capital and a number of other missiles destroyed by anti-aircraft methods. The military said air defense systems intercepted “the large part” of the incoming Israeli strikes. It was not immediately clear what was hit.

Israeli strikes on several areas of Syria overnight killed at least 23 fighters, including five Syrian regime troops and 18 other allied forces, a monitor said Thursday. The state TV station said the attacks were foiled.

A successful terrorist attack of this kind would inevitably alter the picture, pushing Israel and Iran to the brink of a full-scale war.

The United States, Britain and Germany all condemned Iran for their missile strikes against Israel.

The extent of the damage inflicted by the Israeli airstrikes was not immediately clear. It said half of the missiles were shot down.

Iran, along with Russian Federation and Syria, blamed Israel for the attack, which followed reports of a poison gas attack by President Bashar Assad’s forces on the rebel-held town of Douma.

The US further urged Iran and its proxy armies, including Hezbollah, not to take any further “provocative steps”. These weapons facilities have been attacked by Israel, whose government argues that Iran is using Syria as cover to build up its military capability, while striking its enemies in the region.

“They need to remember the saying that if it rains on us, it’ll storm on them”.

The Israelis fear that Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah are turning Syria into a new front against them. The Israeli attacks on the infrastructure have been for the last few months. Israel started warning of prospective Iranian retaliation around this point. Iran’s rocket attack also came a couple days after President Trump announced he was pulling out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the IDF forces attacked the positions of Tehran and the Assad regime in Syria in response to a serious escalation of Iran.

Russian Federation has also sent forces to Syria to back Assad.

Meanwhile, in a rare move for an Arab country, Bahrain backed Israel’s right to “defend itself” after the air strikes. “We wanted to send a message, a very strong message, and I think that we did it”, said Nuriel. After an uneventful night, the military on Wednesday called on residents to return to “full civilian routine”, meaning studies and excursions would continue as usual, although the shelters would remain open.

It was only a matter of time before Iran pushed back, said Wimmen. They speculate that Israel’s claims about the attack lack solid proof and might be agenda-driven.

Israel has always been wary of Iran’s growing influence in the region.