RTSat, 24 Aug 2019 21:08 UTC
© Lasha DarkmoonIsraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Defense Forces have struck multiple 'Iranian targets' outside Damascus,
claiming it helped prevent a deadly attack with 'killer drones'. Syrian state TV said the country's air defenses intercepted most of the missiles.
There have been multiple reports of explosions in the sky over Damascus on Saturday evening before midnight, as
Syrian air defense forces engaged "hostile targets" coming from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In a rare admission, the
IDF confirmed the raid, claiming the it targeted Iranian Quds Force operatives and Shiite militias who were allegedly planning a "large scale attack of multiple killer drones." The raid reportedly focused around Aqraba village, southeast of Damascus,
but the majority of the missiles were intercepted before they could reach their targets, Syrian military sources claimed. There was no immediate confirmation of any death or injuries, even though Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said there might be casualties among the 'militia.'
Israel frequently launches airstrikes in Syria,
citing its inherent right to battle the 'Iranian threat' anywhere at any time, but rarely comments on specific operations.
"Our forces operate in every sector against the Iranian aggression," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted after the attack.
"If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first."
Comment: UPDATE: And more from
RT, 25/8/2019: No Iranian targets hit by Israeli airstrikes in Syria
Tel Aviv's assertion that it attacked Iranian forces stationed near Damascus is untrue, the former head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards has said, warning that the airstrikes would be answered by Syria's "defenders."
Major General Mohsen Rezaei dismissed allegations that the cross-border strikes had targeted Iranian military personnel who were planning to launch drone attacks aimed at targets inside Israel.
"This is a lie and not true. Israel and the United States do not have the power to attack Iran's various centers, and our (military) advisory centers have not been harmed," Rezaei told the semi-official ILNA news agency.
Earlier this week, Israeli airstrikes targeted an alleged Iranian weapons depot in Iraq - a move which was also strongly condemned by Rezaei.
"The actions carried out jointly by Israel and the United States in Syria and Iraq are in breach of international law and will soon be answered by Syria and Iraq's defenders," he said.
UPDATE: Sputnik reports 25/8/2019 Iran 'not safe anywhere' Israeli Ministers warn
"We are taking responsibility for the attack in Syria and are saying that Iran should feel it is not safe anywhere. Iran is working day and night all over the Middle East in order to build an empire that has set for itself the goal of destroying Israel", Israeli Environmental Protection Minister Ze'ev Elkin told Channel 13 TV news.
Likewise, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Kan public radio that Israel publicly acknowledged the airstrike to demonstrate that Iran "has no immunity anywhere": "The [Syria] action was intended to cut the head off the snake".
The remarks by the two ministers echoed a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also defence minister, issued just minutes after the Israeli military announced the attack.
"Iran has no immunity anywhere. Our forces operate in every sector against the Iranian aggression. I have directed that our forces be prepared for any scenario. We will continue to take determined and responsible action against Iran and its proxies for the security of Israel", he said.
In the aftermath of the strikes, IDF spokesperson Lt. Gen. Jonathan Conricus said forces had been put on high alert near the Syrian border.
"The IDF is prepared to continue defending the State of Israel against any attempts to harm it and holds Iran and the Syrian regime directly responsible for the thwarted attack", he said.
See also:
Comment:
UPDATE: And more from RT, 25/8/2019: No Iranian targets hit by Israeli airstrikes in Syria UPDATE: Sputnik reports 25/8/2019 Iran 'not safe anywhere' Israeli Ministers warn See also: