Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israel struck Iranian targets in Syria, hours after an Iranian-made ground-to-ground missile was fired by an Iranian force in Syria at northern Israel.

The targets struck by Israel Defense Forces warplanes late on Sunday night include munitions storage sites, an Iranian intelligence site, an Iranian military training camp, and a military site located in the Damascus International Airport, the IDF said.

Russia’s defense control center in Syria said that four Syrian soldiers were killed and six wounded in the attacks. Syrian military air defenses destroyed more than 30 cruise missiles and guided bombs during the air strikes, according to Russia.

The IDF warned Syria ahead of the strikes on the Iranian targets, and warned the Syrians not to fire anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli planes during the attack. However, dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched during the attack, causing the Israeli warplanes to target several of the Syrian Armed Forces’ aerial defense batteries, according to the IDF.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, reported that 11 people were killed, of which two were Syrian nationals. It said that the death toll is expected to rise.

IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said the missile attack Sunday afternoon on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights in northern Israel was pre-planned.  “By firing towards Israeli civilians, Iran once again proved that it is attempting to entrench itself in Syria, endangering the State of Israel and regional stability,” according to the IDF. “The IDF will continue to act decisively and firmly against the Iranian establishment in Syria.”

The missile attack came after Israel on Sunday morning targeted a munitions depot at the Damascus International Airport. The daylight attack was a departure from previous airstrikes.

Israel has been more direct in recent weeks about acknowledging airstrikes on Syria. Outgoing Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot told the New York Times earlier this month that Israel launched thousands of attacks on Syria during his four years in the position.

The Mount Hermon ski slopes and winter activities site was closed on Monday due to security concerns.

The commander of the Iranian Air Force on Monday said that his country was prepared for a decisive war with Israel, “which will bring an end to the IDF’s attacks on Syria.”

“Our armed forces are prepared for a war that will bring the destruction of Israel,” he said, according to reports. “We are ready for the day when we will see the end of Israel.”