Israel strikes Syrian port in Tartus - Syrian media - Jerusalem Post Staff

 

​ by Jerusalem Post Staff

This is the fifth attack attributed to Israel in two months in Syrian territory.

 

Missile fire is seen over Damascus, Syria January 21, 2019.

(photo credit: SANA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

The Israeli Air Force reportedly conducted an airstrike on a port in the city of Tartus in western Syria on Wednesday, according to Syrian media.

Syrian air defense systems were activated in response to the alleged attack, and most of the missiles launched in the attack were intercepted, Hebrew media reported. It gave no details of the specific locations that were hit.

Syrian casualties include two soldiers killed and another six wounded, Reuters reported citing Syrian state media.

Attacks against Syria attributed to Israel have reportedly been frequent

This is the fifth attack attributed to Israel in two months in Syrian territory, according to Walla.

Missile fire is seen from Damascus, Syria May 10, 2018. (credit: REUTERS)

Explosions were heard at the scene, Russian-state media source Sputnik reported, citing a high-ranking security official at the scene.

Israel has staged hundreds of strikes against alleged Iranian targets in Syria in recent years but has mostly avoided hitting the coastal provinces where Russia's main military assets are concentrated.

The strikes are part of an escalation of what has been a low-intensity conflict whose goal is to slow down Iran's growing entrenchment in Syria, Israeli and regional military experts say.

The strikes were close to the Russian navy's only Mediterranean base in the port of Tartous where Russian warships are docked, while Moscow's major Hmeimim air base is also in nearby Latakia province.

Russia's intervention alongside Iran helped turn the tide in favor of Assad in the country's over-decade-old conflict.

This is a developing story.

Jerusalem Post Staff

Source: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-758919

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