Israeli F-16s struck Damascus airport and formed craters
WASHINGTON – On December 16, a missile strike was launched at the international airport in Damascus, Syria, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, citing the Syrian state news agency SANA, Russian and American sources.
According to satellite images from an American satellite imaging company, the strikes caused severe damage to Damascus International Airport, forming craters in the southern part of the airport. This part of the airport is currently closed. Local sources said the strikes were carried out by an Israeli F-16 fighter jet, firing a total of eight air-to-surface missiles during the air raid.
Damascus International has been used in the past to supply supplies in support of Iranian militias and affiliates operating in Syria and Lebanon, including Hezbollah, and has also been the target of repeated Israeli attacks.
Russian and Syrian sources confirm the airstrikes, but as usual distort the information, especially since satellite images are available. According to these sources, Syrian air defense systems have managed to intercept and shoot down seven of Israel’s eight missiles. The truth of this information cannot be confirmed, as at least three craters can be seen from satellite images.
According to Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit, deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, quoted by Russian state media sources, the Israeli airstrike on December 16 resulted in damage to a warehouse and killed one soldier.
“On December 16, from 1:51 to 1:59, four Israeli Air Force F-16 tactical fighters from the airspace over the Golan Heights struck with eight cruise missiles at targets near Damascus International Airport,” Kulit said at a briefing.
Israeli officials have so far not commented on yesterday’s apparent raid, which is in line with its ambiguity policy regarding airstrikes in Syria.
Although the airstrike on Damascus International Airport is considered successful because it caused damage, it remains unclear why the southern part of the airport, which was under repair before the attacks, was chosen to attack. In this way, the other runways remain active, which means that Syria continues to accept flights from Iran, not only passenger planes but also military planes.
Israeli-Iranian proxy war / cold war
Communication between Israel and Iran is mostly threatening and hostile. Such has been the relationship between the two countries for a very long time. This situation is known as the proxy conflict, the proxy war, or the Cold War between the two countries.
The conflict “appeared” on the world map after the Iranian revolution in 1979. In all the years to this day, Iran aims to destroy Israel as a state. Tehran supports groups and organizations that are hostile to the Jewish state and people. On the other hand, Israel is worried about Iran’sIran’s nuclear program. The proximity of the two countries worries Tel Aviv that Iranians could use them against Israel if Iran has nuclear weapons. Israel also finds its allies in the face of the United States and Saudi Arabia, which are apparent opponents of Iran.
Thus, this conflict gradually turned into an Israeli-Iranian war. The competition has been going on since the start of the Syrian civil war. According to Iran, Israel rules by an illegitimate “Zionist regime,” a Tehran problem. Iran’sIran’s other point of reference is that the United States is hostile to Muslims because it supports Israel.
The civil war in Syria
The Syrian civil war has been going on for almost a decade. Attempts by movements such as the Syrian Democratic Forces to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have failed.
The Syrian democratic forces are armed by allies and the United States, while the Syrian army is armed mainly by Russia. Russia is the only country officially invited to Syria by President Bashar al-Assad.
In 2017, the United States launched a massive missile strike on Bashar al-Assad’s forces after a report emerged that the Syrian president had used chemical weapons to attack his people in the country. Syria and Russia deny such actions.
During his tenure, US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw much of US troops from Syria, leaving several troops to guard Syria’s oil fields on the pretext of “falling into the hands of Islamic State.”
With the withdrawal of the United States, Turkey comes to the fore, declaring it necessary to deal with the Kurds and the PKK movement in the northern part of the country, which borders Turkey. That is why Erdogan is sending troops in an attempt to build a stable and secure 30km zone between Syria and Turkey, which will prevent future terrorist attacks on Turkish territory, as it is.
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