13 apr 2019
Syrian media report air defenses activated outside Hama; Syrian opposition claims strikes hit missile development center; Iranians killed, multiple wounded.
An airstrike on a military position in central Syria early Saturday wounded six soldiers and destroyed several buildings, Syria's state news agency SANA reported.
SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying the airstrike near the town of Masyaf, in Hama province, hit a military academy widely known as the Accounting School. It said Israeli warplanes fired missiles toward Syria from Lebanon's airspace and that Syrian air defenses shot down some of the missiles.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli airstrikes hit three targets, wounding 17 Syrian soldiers. It said there were also deaths, but it was not immediately clear how many were killed and whether they were Iranians or Iran-sponsored fighters. It said the strikes targeted the Accounting School as well as a missile development center in a village near Masyaf and a nearby military base run by Iran-backed fighters.
The Israeli military declined to comment. Israel does not usually comment on reports concerning its airstrikes in neighboring Syria, though it has recently acknowledged striking Iranian targets there. The last such strikes that Israel announced were in late March.
Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has sent military advisers, as well as thousands of fighters from across the region, to help his forces in the eight-year conflict.
Israel considers Iran its biggest threat and has said it will not tolerate an Iranian military presence on its borders.
The most serious wave of airstrikes on Syria this year occurred in January, when the Israeli military hit several Iranian targets, saying it was responding to an Iranian missile attack a day earlier. The Iranian launch followed a rare Israeli daylight air raid near the Damascus International Airport.
An airstrike on a military position in central Syria early Saturday wounded six soldiers and destroyed several buildings, Syria's state news agency SANA reported.
SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying the airstrike near the town of Masyaf, in Hama province, hit a military academy widely known as the Accounting School. It said Israeli warplanes fired missiles toward Syria from Lebanon's airspace and that Syrian air defenses shot down some of the missiles.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli airstrikes hit three targets, wounding 17 Syrian soldiers. It said there were also deaths, but it was not immediately clear how many were killed and whether they were Iranians or Iran-sponsored fighters. It said the strikes targeted the Accounting School as well as a missile development center in a village near Masyaf and a nearby military base run by Iran-backed fighters.
The Israeli military declined to comment. Israel does not usually comment on reports concerning its airstrikes in neighboring Syria, though it has recently acknowledged striking Iranian targets there. The last such strikes that Israel announced were in late March.
Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has sent military advisers, as well as thousands of fighters from across the region, to help his forces in the eight-year conflict.
Israel considers Iran its biggest threat and has said it will not tolerate an Iranian military presence on its borders.
The most serious wave of airstrikes on Syria this year occurred in January, when the Israeli military hit several Iranian targets, saying it was responding to an Iranian missile attack a day earlier. The Iranian launch followed a rare Israeli daylight air raid near the Damascus International Airport.
28 mar 2019
Syria Observatory for Human Rights says all of the fatatlities were Iran troops or militas linked to Tehran; FM Katz declines to confirm Israeli role in what he called a 'militarily challenging' operation
At least seven people were killed and five wounded in an overnight airstrike targeting Iranian weapons stores in Syria that was attributed to Israel, a monitoring group said Thursday.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, all of the fatalities were members of the Iranian forces in Syria or militias linked to Tehran.
Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz was reticent Thursday morning about directly acknowledging that Israel was behind the attack.
"According to foreign sources, the air force attacked Iranian troops in Syria," Katz told Ynet. "As far as Iran knows, it was us. It was an extremely challenging action from a military perspective."
In the wake of the airstrike, Israel decided Thursday morning to close its air space over the Golan Heights to all flights over 5,000 feet.
In January, Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket fired from Syria at the Golan Heights, close to the Hermon ski resort. The strike was later attributed to Iranian troops near the Israeli border.
Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with Israel.
Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy based in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria's war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.
Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.
Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.
The Syrian military said Wednesday night that the air raids on the industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo were carried out by Israel, and caused damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.
"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.
The state-run Syrian news agency Sana said that the country's air defenses were "in operation" over Aleppo and claimed that they had brought down 70 percent of their targets.
The strike reportedly took place while the United Nations Security Council was discussing the US recognition over Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
At least seven people were killed and five wounded in an overnight airstrike targeting Iranian weapons stores in Syria that was attributed to Israel, a monitoring group said Thursday.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, all of the fatalities were members of the Iranian forces in Syria or militias linked to Tehran.
Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz was reticent Thursday morning about directly acknowledging that Israel was behind the attack.
"According to foreign sources, the air force attacked Iranian troops in Syria," Katz told Ynet. "As far as Iran knows, it was us. It was an extremely challenging action from a military perspective."
In the wake of the airstrike, Israel decided Thursday morning to close its air space over the Golan Heights to all flights over 5,000 feet.
In January, Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket fired from Syria at the Golan Heights, close to the Hermon ski resort. The strike was later attributed to Iranian troops near the Israeli border.
Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with Israel.
Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy based in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria's war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.
Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.
Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.
The Syrian military said Wednesday night that the air raids on the industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo were carried out by Israel, and caused damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.
"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.
The state-run Syrian news agency Sana said that the country's air defenses were "in operation" over Aleppo and claimed that they had brought down 70 percent of their targets.
The strike reportedly took place while the United Nations Security Council was discussing the US recognition over Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
Opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in Aleppo area say large ammunitions depot and a logistics hub belonging to Iranian-backed militias inside local industrial zone received direct hits
The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday night launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.
"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.
The state-run Syrian news agency Sana said that the country's air defenses were "in operation" over Aleppo and claimed that they had brought down 70 percent of their targets.
The strike reportedly took place while the United Nations Security Council was discussing the US recognition over Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas.
Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents.
Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunitions depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits.
Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added.
Iranian-backed Shiite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries.
Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with Israel.
Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Earlier this year the IDF said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria's war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.
Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.
Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.
The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday night launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.
"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.
The state-run Syrian news agency Sana said that the country's air defenses were "in operation" over Aleppo and claimed that they had brought down 70 percent of their targets.
The strike reportedly took place while the United Nations Security Council was discussing the US recognition over Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas.
Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents.
Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunitions depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits.
Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added.
Iranian-backed Shiite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries.
Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with Israel.
Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Earlier this year the IDF said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria's war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.
Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.
Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.
16 feb 2019
Yemen's foreign minister Khaled al-Yamani has been widely criticized, especially by his own people, after pictures showed him sitting next to and smiling at Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at a recent conference aimed at isolating Iran.
Al-Yamani was seated next to Netanyahu during the opening session of the Middle East conference in the Polish capital Warsaw. During a part of the session that was closed to the media, the Yemeni minister was reported to have let Netanyahu use his microphone when his stopped working.
The pictures, which were published by several media outlets, have sparked a public backlash against al-Yamani, although he tried to defend himself by claiming that a “protocol error” by the organizers of the conference landed him next to Netanyahu.
Social media users, including noted figures, from Yemen and other Arab countries strongly denounced the Yemeni foreign minister and some called for removing him from his post.
Al-Yamani was seated next to Netanyahu during the opening session of the Middle East conference in the Polish capital Warsaw. During a part of the session that was closed to the media, the Yemeni minister was reported to have let Netanyahu use his microphone when his stopped working.
The pictures, which were published by several media outlets, have sparked a public backlash against al-Yamani, although he tried to defend himself by claiming that a “protocol error” by the organizers of the conference landed him next to Netanyahu.
Social media users, including noted figures, from Yemen and other Arab countries strongly denounced the Yemeni foreign minister and some called for removing him from his post.
15 feb 2019
Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled AlJarallah on Friday affirmed that the stance of Kuwait is clearly and firmly opposed to normalization of relations with Israel.
"The State of Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel," he said, noting "anybody would be mistaken if they imagined that the group picture taken at Warsaw conference signal a change in Kuwait's firm stand on this issue."
"Kuwait took part in Warsaw peace and security conference under joint invitation from the United States and the Republic of Poland with which Kuwait has close relations and allied itself in some issues."
"Besides, the issues on the agenda of the conference have to do with the future of security and peace in the Middle East of which we are a part," AlJarallah said in response to speculations circulated by social media.
"It would be illogical that these topics, including the Palestine question and the developments of the Middle East peace process, are discussed in our absence. Our participation in the conference stemmed from keenness on defending these issues, not plundering them."
"We made our point clear at all international forums, foremost among which is the UN Security Council through our nonpermanent membership," he explained, adding that Kuwait's principled stance was highly appreciated by "the Palestinian brothers."
He reiterated that Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel after the realization of a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestine question and the establishment of Palestine State with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, the Arab peace initiative.
Turning back to the group picture, he said that normalization of relations between countries has various forms that do not necessarily include taking group pictures at international conferences.
Kuwait participated in Warsaw conference alongside with other sisterly countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) whose participating delegations were of higher level than that of Kuwait, he noted. The conference was similar to the other numerous international gatherings in which Israel takes part, including the forums being held under the UN umbrella, he added.
"The State of Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel," he said, noting "anybody would be mistaken if they imagined that the group picture taken at Warsaw conference signal a change in Kuwait's firm stand on this issue."
"Kuwait took part in Warsaw peace and security conference under joint invitation from the United States and the Republic of Poland with which Kuwait has close relations and allied itself in some issues."
"Besides, the issues on the agenda of the conference have to do with the future of security and peace in the Middle East of which we are a part," AlJarallah said in response to speculations circulated by social media.
"It would be illogical that these topics, including the Palestine question and the developments of the Middle East peace process, are discussed in our absence. Our participation in the conference stemmed from keenness on defending these issues, not plundering them."
"We made our point clear at all international forums, foremost among which is the UN Security Council through our nonpermanent membership," he explained, adding that Kuwait's principled stance was highly appreciated by "the Palestinian brothers."
He reiterated that Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel after the realization of a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestine question and the establishment of Palestine State with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, the Arab peace initiative.
Turning back to the group picture, he said that normalization of relations between countries has various forms that do not necessarily include taking group pictures at international conferences.
Kuwait participated in Warsaw conference alongside with other sisterly countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) whose participating delegations were of higher level than that of Kuwait, he noted. The conference was similar to the other numerous international gatherings in which Israel takes part, including the forums being held under the UN umbrella, he added.
22 jan 2019
IDF strike on Iranian targets in Syria, January 2019
Opinion: Just like last May, the IDF set up the Iranians in Syria with a well-laid plan to take out their military installations, but while it celebrates this achievement, it should also beware of unforeseen consequences.
Iran's Ra'ad was originally a medium-range rocket, upgraded and equipped with navigation and guidance systems. It comes from a family of upgraded rockets that are at the center of a determined campaign by Israel to prevent high quality munitions from reaching Hezbollah.
Sunday's rocket fire at Mount Hermon revealed the fact that the Iranians are apparently holding an arsenal of Ra'ads in Syria. And despite the bombing raids by the Israel Air Force, there remains the concern that some of these missiles may yet reach – or have already reached – their destination in Lebanon, which would lead to a fundamental change in the threat from the north. For while only one rocket was fired on Sunday, that was likely down to the limitations on this particular model and its truck-mounted launcher.
But the Iranians have again fallen into a well-hidden trap laid by Israel: The events of the past two days are an almost exact replica of Operation House of Cards from May 2018. In both cases, the Iranians tried to punish Israel for bombing Revolutionary Guards targets in Syria.
In Operation House of Cards, Israel tracked Iran's preparations to avenge the killing of Iranian soldiers at a Syrian airport on February 4, 2018. It took the Iranians three months to organize the plan, all the while under the watchful eye of Israel. And in early May, Israel carried out its preliminary attack at al-Kiswah base near Damascus, ostensibly to destroy missiles aimed at its territory.
After the attack, the Iranians had no option but to respond, launching rockets a few days later from the Damascus region towards the Golan Heights.
Israel had stage-managed this chain of events thanks to its intelligence. The Iranian rockets did not cause any damage, but did provide a pretext as well as legitimacy for what followed: Israel used its own response to the Iranian violation of its sovereignty to eliminate the bulk of Iran's military infrastructure in Syria in one fell swoop. The Iranians fell for Israel's poker face.
This sequence played out again over last two days: At the end of December, Israel reportedly attacked Damascus airport, killing a number of Iranian fighters. And in this instance too, the Iranians plotted their revenge under Israel's watchful eye, setting up a surface-to-surface missile in an autonomous Iranian area among Syrian bases in al-Kiswah.
On Sunday, just as in the first attack in May, the Israel Air Force struck the area. The Iranians, just as in the first attack in May, were pushed into a pre-planned response, firing their missile at Mount Hermon. Israel had predicted this response, and had an Iron Dome battery in place to shoot down the rocket. It also used this attack as an opportunity for "revenge". Just as in the first attack in May, the Syrians reported parallel air and surface-to-surface strikes on targets in Damascus, several hours later and under the cover of darkness.
Despite Israel's apparent control of the situation, a sense of failure could well make Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force in Syria, respond irrationally. The Iranians in Syria are at a disadvantage to Israel – and the only way it can harm Israel from Syria is through terrorism. Indeed, the rocket fire on Mount Hermon is a form of targeted terrorist attack, inasmuch as it was an attempt to kill as many Israelis as possible and to damage national morale. Iran can launch terror attacks from the Syrian border through its proxies or within Israel via Palestinian cells in Gaza and the West Bank. But here too, its infrastructure is capable of major impact.
Iran views terror attacks against Israeli targets abroad as problematic in light of its sensitive relations with European countries. But it could conduct an effective campaign against Israel from the Lebanese front through Hezbollah, or from Iran or western Iraq. Yet all of these options, in particular the Lebanon option, would be a declaration of war on Israel that a country like Lebanon simply cannot afford.
Opinion: Just like last May, the IDF set up the Iranians in Syria with a well-laid plan to take out their military installations, but while it celebrates this achievement, it should also beware of unforeseen consequences.
Iran's Ra'ad was originally a medium-range rocket, upgraded and equipped with navigation and guidance systems. It comes from a family of upgraded rockets that are at the center of a determined campaign by Israel to prevent high quality munitions from reaching Hezbollah.
Sunday's rocket fire at Mount Hermon revealed the fact that the Iranians are apparently holding an arsenal of Ra'ads in Syria. And despite the bombing raids by the Israel Air Force, there remains the concern that some of these missiles may yet reach – or have already reached – their destination in Lebanon, which would lead to a fundamental change in the threat from the north. For while only one rocket was fired on Sunday, that was likely down to the limitations on this particular model and its truck-mounted launcher.
But the Iranians have again fallen into a well-hidden trap laid by Israel: The events of the past two days are an almost exact replica of Operation House of Cards from May 2018. In both cases, the Iranians tried to punish Israel for bombing Revolutionary Guards targets in Syria.
In Operation House of Cards, Israel tracked Iran's preparations to avenge the killing of Iranian soldiers at a Syrian airport on February 4, 2018. It took the Iranians three months to organize the plan, all the while under the watchful eye of Israel. And in early May, Israel carried out its preliminary attack at al-Kiswah base near Damascus, ostensibly to destroy missiles aimed at its territory.
After the attack, the Iranians had no option but to respond, launching rockets a few days later from the Damascus region towards the Golan Heights.
Israel had stage-managed this chain of events thanks to its intelligence. The Iranian rockets did not cause any damage, but did provide a pretext as well as legitimacy for what followed: Israel used its own response to the Iranian violation of its sovereignty to eliminate the bulk of Iran's military infrastructure in Syria in one fell swoop. The Iranians fell for Israel's poker face.
This sequence played out again over last two days: At the end of December, Israel reportedly attacked Damascus airport, killing a number of Iranian fighters. And in this instance too, the Iranians plotted their revenge under Israel's watchful eye, setting up a surface-to-surface missile in an autonomous Iranian area among Syrian bases in al-Kiswah.
On Sunday, just as in the first attack in May, the Israel Air Force struck the area. The Iranians, just as in the first attack in May, were pushed into a pre-planned response, firing their missile at Mount Hermon. Israel had predicted this response, and had an Iron Dome battery in place to shoot down the rocket. It also used this attack as an opportunity for "revenge". Just as in the first attack in May, the Syrians reported parallel air and surface-to-surface strikes on targets in Damascus, several hours later and under the cover of darkness.
Despite Israel's apparent control of the situation, a sense of failure could well make Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force in Syria, respond irrationally. The Iranians in Syria are at a disadvantage to Israel – and the only way it can harm Israel from Syria is through terrorism. Indeed, the rocket fire on Mount Hermon is a form of targeted terrorist attack, inasmuch as it was an attempt to kill as many Israelis as possible and to damage national morale. Iran can launch terror attacks from the Syrian border through its proxies or within Israel via Palestinian cells in Gaza and the West Bank. But here too, its infrastructure is capable of major impact.
Iran views terror attacks against Israeli targets abroad as problematic in light of its sensitive relations with European countries. But it could conduct an effective campaign against Israel from the Lebanese front through Hezbollah, or from Iran or western Iraq. Yet all of these options, in particular the Lebanon option, would be a declaration of war on Israel that a country like Lebanon simply cannot afford.
21 jan 2019
The Israeli occupation forces at daybreak Monday said an overnight operation targeted the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, as well as Syrian air defenses.
Syrian media said most of the Israeli missiles had been shot down.
Israel claimed it acted after the Quds Forces launched a rocket from Syria over the Golan Heights on Sunday.
The Israeli military also said that "dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched, despite clear warnings to avoid such fire".
Syria's state-run Sana news agency quoted a military source as saying that the country's air defenses had shot down most of "hostile missiles".
Russia's defense control centre was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying that Syrian military air defenses destroyed more than 30 Israeli cruise missiles and guided bombs during the raids.
An attack targeting an airport in southeastern Damascus killed four Syrian soldiers and wounded six, the military centre was quoted by RIA news agency as saying on Monday,
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, said the toll of the raids was 11.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning during his visit to Chad on Sunday.
"We have a set policy, to target the Iranian entrenchment in Syria, and to harm whoever tried to harm us," he said.
Syrian media said most of the Israeli missiles had been shot down.
Israel claimed it acted after the Quds Forces launched a rocket from Syria over the Golan Heights on Sunday.
The Israeli military also said that "dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched, despite clear warnings to avoid such fire".
Syria's state-run Sana news agency quoted a military source as saying that the country's air defenses had shot down most of "hostile missiles".
Russia's defense control centre was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying that Syrian military air defenses destroyed more than 30 Israeli cruise missiles and guided bombs during the raids.
An attack targeting an airport in southeastern Damascus killed four Syrian soldiers and wounded six, the military centre was quoted by RIA news agency as saying on Monday,
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, said the toll of the raids was 11.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning during his visit to Chad on Sunday.
"We have a set policy, to target the Iranian entrenchment in Syria, and to harm whoever tried to harm us," he said.
12 jan 2019
Syrian state news agency says Israeli jets hit ammunition warehouse at Damascus airport, adding most Israeli missiles intercepted by Syrian air defenses; Syrian Observatory says Israel also targeted Hezbollah missile deport in Al-Kiswah area.
Syrian air defenses intercepted missiles reportedly fired by Israeli fighter jets on Friday night, according to state news agency SANA, causing damage but no casualties.
SANA reported that "over eight targets" exploded over the capital of Damascus, saying Syrian air defenses intercepted most of the Israeli missiles.
An ammunition warehouse at the Damascus airport was reportedly hit, but a Syrian Transport Ministry official said to SANA airport activity continues as normal.
"At 11:15 before midnight Israeli warplanes coming from Al-Jalil area launched many missiles towards Damascus area and our air defenses intercepted them and downed most of them," a Syrian military source said to SANA.
Syrian state media broadcast footage of what it said were the air defenses firing, with bright lights seen shooting across the night sky. Explosions were heard in one of the videos.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attack targeted missile depots that belong to Hezbollah in the Al-Kiswah area as well as the Damascus airport.
Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said the attack was broader than usual, targeting areas ranging from the eastern Damascus suburb of Dmeir to Al-Kiswah south of capital all the way to the village of Dimas in the west near the Lebanon border. It also said Israeli fighter jets were also operating in Lebanese airspace.
Israel has mounted attacks in Syria as part of its effort to counter the influence carved out there by Iran, which has supported President Bashar Assad in the war that erupted in 2011.
The last Israeli attack reported by Syrian state media was on December 25, when a missile attack wounded three Syrian soldiers. It was the most extensive airstrike since a Russian intelligence plane was accidentally shot down during an Israeli strike.
An Israeli official said the air force had attacked several Iranian targets in three main locations. He said the targets were primarily storage and logistics facilities used by Iran to ship weapons to Hezbollah.
Russia criticized Israel's "provocative" strike, saying it directly threatened two civilian flights. Russia's Ministry of Defense, which did not specify which flights had been threatened, added that Syrian air defenses had destroyed 14 of 16 Israeli missiles launched by six F-16 jets against unspecified targets near Damascus.
Lebanon's acting Transport Minister Youssef Fenianos confirmed Russia's account, saying the two airplanes in Lebanese airspace "narrowly" escaped Israeli warplanes, averting a "human catastrophe." Fenianos said Lebanon will present a complaint to the UN Security Council.
Russia said the Syrian military didn't fully engage its air defense assets to avoid accidentally hitting the passenger jets, adding that Syrian air traffic controllers redirected the Damascus-bound plane to a Russian air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia.
An Israeli official said it was Syrian air defenses that endangered the civilian planes, by firing 30 missiles in response to the airstrike. He also said that Iranian forces are operating less than 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Israeli border, contrary to Russian assurances.
A senior Israeli official said in September Israel had carried out more than 200 attacks against Iranian targets in Syria in the last two years.
Syrian air defenses intercepted missiles reportedly fired by Israeli fighter jets on Friday night, according to state news agency SANA, causing damage but no casualties.
SANA reported that "over eight targets" exploded over the capital of Damascus, saying Syrian air defenses intercepted most of the Israeli missiles.
An ammunition warehouse at the Damascus airport was reportedly hit, but a Syrian Transport Ministry official said to SANA airport activity continues as normal.
"At 11:15 before midnight Israeli warplanes coming from Al-Jalil area launched many missiles towards Damascus area and our air defenses intercepted them and downed most of them," a Syrian military source said to SANA.
Syrian state media broadcast footage of what it said were the air defenses firing, with bright lights seen shooting across the night sky. Explosions were heard in one of the videos.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attack targeted missile depots that belong to Hezbollah in the Al-Kiswah area as well as the Damascus airport.
Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said the attack was broader than usual, targeting areas ranging from the eastern Damascus suburb of Dmeir to Al-Kiswah south of capital all the way to the village of Dimas in the west near the Lebanon border. It also said Israeli fighter jets were also operating in Lebanese airspace.
Israel has mounted attacks in Syria as part of its effort to counter the influence carved out there by Iran, which has supported President Bashar Assad in the war that erupted in 2011.
The last Israeli attack reported by Syrian state media was on December 25, when a missile attack wounded three Syrian soldiers. It was the most extensive airstrike since a Russian intelligence plane was accidentally shot down during an Israeli strike.
An Israeli official said the air force had attacked several Iranian targets in three main locations. He said the targets were primarily storage and logistics facilities used by Iran to ship weapons to Hezbollah.
Russia criticized Israel's "provocative" strike, saying it directly threatened two civilian flights. Russia's Ministry of Defense, which did not specify which flights had been threatened, added that Syrian air defenses had destroyed 14 of 16 Israeli missiles launched by six F-16 jets against unspecified targets near Damascus.
Lebanon's acting Transport Minister Youssef Fenianos confirmed Russia's account, saying the two airplanes in Lebanese airspace "narrowly" escaped Israeli warplanes, averting a "human catastrophe." Fenianos said Lebanon will present a complaint to the UN Security Council.
Russia said the Syrian military didn't fully engage its air defense assets to avoid accidentally hitting the passenger jets, adding that Syrian air traffic controllers redirected the Damascus-bound plane to a Russian air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia.
An Israeli official said it was Syrian air defenses that endangered the civilian planes, by firing 30 missiles in response to the airstrike. He also said that Iranian forces are operating less than 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Israeli border, contrary to Russian assurances.
A senior Israeli official said in September Israel had carried out more than 200 attacks against Iranian targets in Syria in the last two years.
The Syrian state news agency said Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles toward the Damascus area Friday, triggering Syrian air defenses that shot down most of them.
“The results of the aggression so far were limited to a strike on one of the warehouses at Damascus airport,” the SANA news agency cited a military source.
The attack took place at 11:15 p.m. local time, SANA said, adding that the fighter jets attacked from the Galilee in northern Israel.
It also quoted a transport ministry source as saying that the airport was running normally.
Syrian state media broadcast footage of what it said were the air defenses firing, with bright lights seen shooting across the night sky. Explosions were heard in one of the videos.
Hezbollah's al-Manar TV said the attack was broader than usual, targeting areas ranging from the eastern Damascus suburb of Dmeir to Kiswa south of the capital all the way to the village of Dimas in the west near the Lebanon border.
For its part, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrikes targeted an area near the airport while others hit the area of Kiswa, which is home to positions and storage sites for Iranian and Hezbollah forces allied with Syria's government.
There was no immediate word from Israel, which rarely comments on such attacks. Israel is widely believed to have been behind a series of airstrikes in Syria that have mainly targeted Iranian and Hezbollah forces and military sites.
“The results of the aggression so far were limited to a strike on one of the warehouses at Damascus airport,” the SANA news agency cited a military source.
The attack took place at 11:15 p.m. local time, SANA said, adding that the fighter jets attacked from the Galilee in northern Israel.
It also quoted a transport ministry source as saying that the airport was running normally.
Syrian state media broadcast footage of what it said were the air defenses firing, with bright lights seen shooting across the night sky. Explosions were heard in one of the videos.
Hezbollah's al-Manar TV said the attack was broader than usual, targeting areas ranging from the eastern Damascus suburb of Dmeir to Kiswa south of the capital all the way to the village of Dimas in the west near the Lebanon border.
For its part, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrikes targeted an area near the airport while others hit the area of Kiswa, which is home to positions and storage sites for Iranian and Hezbollah forces allied with Syria's government.
There was no immediate word from Israel, which rarely comments on such attacks. Israel is widely believed to have been behind a series of airstrikes in Syria that have mainly targeted Iranian and Hezbollah forces and military sites.
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