Israeli strikes against Iranian targets in Syria are becoming more regular and open, after a series of strikes early Monday morning were followed by clear condemnations of Iranian activity in the country by Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as the clear warning: “We have a permanent policy, to strike at the Iranian entrenchment in Syria and hurt whoever tries to hurt us.” This latter reference includes Iranian allies in the area like Hezbollah and forces allied with Assad. Israel’s harsher tone may be connected to the U.S. decision to withdraw from the area, which was likely welcomed by Syria’s Assad, Iran, and Russia. Israeli action is likely intended, therefore, to communicate costs of future Iranian activity given the American absence. Israeli fighters jets targeted Iranian Quds Forces and then Syrian anti-aircraft batteries after coming under fire. This was preceded by a night of cross-border exchanges that began with an Iranian missile attack on a ski resort located in the Golan Heights. In its turn, the chief of the Iranian air force announced that his forces were “fully ready and impatient to confront the Zionist regime and eliminate it from the earth.”
Source: Israel strikes in Syria in more open assault on Iran | Reuters
