Israeli jets & combat helicopters strike Syrian artillery, air defense units – IDF

The Israeli military has confirmed striking “a number” of Syrian Army targets in cross border raids that, according to Damascus, left at least three soldiers dead and seven others wounded.

"Israeli warplanes and combat helicopters attacked several military targets belonging to the Syrian army, including two artillery batteries, a number of observation and intelligence posts on the Golan Heights front," the IDF said in a rare press release, noting that it also targeted Syrian Army air defense posts.

The raids came in response to two rockets, allegedly fired from Syrian territory into Hermon in the northern Golan Heights on Saturday night, the IDF explained, posting a video of the attack.

Earlier, Syrian state media said that at least three soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in two consecutive attacks on the Damascus and eastern Quneitra countrysides, even though the Syrian air defenses allegedly managed to intercept most of the missiles.

Syrian air defense forces have engaged IAF warplanes on numerous occasions throughout the course of the years-long conflict. Earlier this week, the Israeli military said it attacked a Syrian anti-aircraft position after an Israeli warplane came under fire. Damascus views Israeli cross border intrusions as direct violations of its sovereignty and has repeatedly asked the UN to step in and intervene to stop the attacks.

Typically, Tel Aviv justifies its raids as a necessary measure to contain Iran’s presence inside Syria, as well as that of militia groups like Hezbollah, who both fight alongside the Syrian government. This time, however, the IDF made no mention of the ‘Iranian threat’ and openly admitted to striking Syrian Arab Army targets.

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