Israel strikes in Syria in response to Golan rocket fire, killing 3 soldiers

Seven other troops belonging to Assad regime were wounded in the IAF strike on Syrian military positions, according to state-run media reports; IDF confirms it struck air defense units, artillery batteries, observation and intelligence posts

Associated Press, Ynet|Published:  06.02.19 , 08:27

Israel Defense Force attacked Syrian military positions in the country’s south early Sunday, killing three soldiers and wounding seven others, Syria’s state-run media reported. The IDF later confirmed the strikes came in response to several rockets being fired into northern Israel from Syrian territory late Saturday.State news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying the attacks struck military positions in the southern region of Quneitra, near the Golan Heights. They also caused material damage, it said.

 

An Israeli military spokesman confirmed on Twitter that Israel targeted several military positions in Syria. He said the targets included two artillery batteries, several observation and intelligence posts and an SA2 air defense unit. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he “instructed the IDF to take strong action” in response to the rocket fire, targeting Israel’s only ski resort on Mount Hermon.

 

“We are not prepared to tolerate rocket fire at our territory and will respond with great force to any aggression against us,” said the prime minister. “This has consistently been my policy and this is what we will continue to do for Israel’s security.”

 

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition’s war monitor, said Israeli warplanes struck positions and an arms depot of Iranian troops and Lebanon’s Hezbollah fighters. 

 

The attacks came hours after the Israeli military said two projectiles were fired from Syria toward Mt. Hermon in the Golan Heights. 

The Israeli military said Saturday there were no reports of casualties or damage. Israeli media said that sirens warning of incoming rockets were not activated. 

Israel has acknowledged carrying out dozens of airstrikes in Syria on Iranian targets and Tehran’s allies. 

Last week, Israeli aircraft hit a Syrian military post after the army said an anti-aircraft missile was fired at one of its fighter jets. Syrian media said a soldier was killed in that airstrike. 

Israel says it will not allow Iran, which has sent forces to help President Bashar Assad in Syria’s civil war, to establish a permanent military presence in Syria. 

For years, Israel has remained largely silent about its attacks against Iran and its Shiite proxies operating in neighboring Syria. But in recent months, military and political leaders have become increasingly outspoken about these activities.