Syrian Arab Army (SAA) speaks for Israeli attack in Damascus

Defence Redefined

Published on 15/02/2021 at 09:30

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) announced today that the country’s air defence systems have been activated to intercept an “Israeli attack” in the country’s capital, Damascus, as the Israeli Air Force seems to escalate its raids against mainly Iranian positions in the war-torn country over the past two months. No details were given about the targets by the Syrian state media.

Israeli fighter jets flew over the Golan Heights and fired rockets at targets on the outskirts of the capital, the army said. They did not talk about losses. They assured that most of the rockets were shot down.

“Our air defences are continuing to repel the Israeli missile attacks over the skies of the capital,” the statement said.

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Reuters quoted a Syrian army insurgent as saying that the target was a division in Kishua, about 14km south of the capital. According to the same source, paramilitaries backed by Iran are being recruited. Strong explosions were heard in southern Damascus.

The Israeli army has not commented on the raid so far. It rarely takes responsibility for operations on Syrian soil. However, Israeli military officials have confirmed in particular that the intensifying attacks in the war-torn country are aimed at hitting Iranian and pro-Iranian forces, which are consolidating their presence.

Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, Chief of Staff, said in late 2020 that the raids “slowed down Iran’s consolidation in Syria.” More than 500 targets were hit last year. Sources close to the Western intelligence services believe that Iran’s influence and forces in Syria are increasing in recent years. In response, Israel is escalating its raids to prevent Tehran from gaining bridges across its border.

Iranian-backed paramilitary groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, control large parts of eastern, southern and northwestern Syria, as well as suburbs around Damascus, according to the same sources. They also control areas on the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Israel, whose air force has launched some of the largest-scale benefits so far this year, seems to be focusing on Bukamal, a city on the Baghdad-Damascus road. Israeli generals and sources close to state intelligence services in the region say Israeli operations have the tacit approval of the United States.

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Source: CNA