Strife Between Syria and Israel: Israel Strikes Back After Rockets Land in Its Territory, Despite Syria's Denial
Syria's fire prompts Israel to retaliate with counterstrikes
Here's the lowdown on the latest skirmish between Israel and Syria:
Israel has responded with counterattacks after experiencing rocket fire from Syria that reached uninhabited areas in its northern region, causing no harm. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, attributed this aggression to the newly formed Syrian government, while Damascus adamantly denies any accountability. They reiterated they posed no threat to the surrounding area.
In an official statement released via the state-owned Syrian news agency SANA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that numerous factions are attempting to destabilize the region for their own benefit. Damascus could not verify the reports of incoming rockets aimed at Israel.
This recent altercation marks the first time since Bashar al-Assad's demise in December that rockets have landed on Israeli territory. The Israeli army reported that they focused assaults in southern Syria in response. SANA also reported attacks in the Yarmuk Basin west of the Daraa province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented massive explosions in southern Syria, especially in Kuneitra City and the Daraa region, causing no casualties but impacting agricultural areas. The Observatory alleged that the Israeli attacks targeted Syrian government weaponry.
Sana reported the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressing no threat to anyone and asserting that their main focus in southern Syria is to expand state control and eradicate weapons outside official channels [2].
Israel, on the other hand, has stated that it holds the Syrian regime under al-Sharaa responsible for rocket fire emanating from Syrian territory [3]. Israel responded by launching artillery fire at the rocket launch position and conducting airstrikes targeting regime weapons in southern Syria [3][2]. Despite ongoing tensions, there have also been reports of clandestine meetings between Israel and Syria to deescalate the situation, encouraged by the U.S. [2].
SyriaIsraelWars and Conflicts
[1] ntv.de[2] rog/AFP[3] Tel Aviv, Israel (CNN) — Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel has struck regime targets in Syria in response to the rocket fire that hit uninhabited areas in the Golan Heights. Katz says Israel holds the Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad, directly responsible for the attack. (CNN, 6 April 2021)[4] The Times of Israel. Syria denies responsibility for Israel flare-up, vows to avoid escalation, April 7, 2021. (accessed 25 September 2021)
Key Points to Know:
- Syria's Denial: Despite rockets landing on Israeli territory, Syria denies any responsibility and calls upon the international community to help maintain regional stability.
- Israel's Response: Israel has retaliated with airstrikes and artillery fire, targeting regime bases in Syria, and holds the Syrian government directly accountable.
- Both Sides' Emphasis on Peace: The Syrian government and Israel have made efforts to ease tensions, indicating deescalation is a top priority for both parties.
The Syrian government continues to deny responsibility for rocket attacks on Israeli territory, but Israel maintains a hardline stance, accusing the Syrian regime of being directly accountable and retaliating with airstrikes and artillery fire. Politically, this escalation underscores the continued strife and the potential for war-and-conflicts in the region. Meanwhile, community policy discussions have included calls for the international community to aid in maintaining regional peace while both parties emphasize their desire for deescalation, as general news stories follow the latest developments between Syria and Israel. The environment, particularly in agricultural areas, has also been impacted by the explosions in southern Syria and potential damage to the Syrian government's weaponry.
