WarSclerotic

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel had attacked three targets—Iran or Hezbollah’s arms depots located southwest of Damascus. The IDF did not specify whether air defenses intercepted the missile.

Hezbollah’s information channel reported that S-200 missiles were launched against the attack missiles. The Syrian Assad regime has yet to respond to the reports.

Syrian air defenses intercept ‘hostile targets’ near Damascus, December 25, 2018

Loud explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Tuesday night. “Our air defenses have intercepted a number of hostile targets near Damascus,” Syrian state TV said and added the attack “originated from above the Lebanese territories.”

At the same time, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported Israeli war planes performed mock raids above southern Lebanon.

As in previous reports of attacks in Syria, this attack is also connected to an Iranian plane. On Tuesday morning, the Boeing 747 of Iranian airline Fars Air Qeshm, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, took off from Tehran International Airport (THR) to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA).

At 5:30pm, the plane took off for Damascus International Airport where it landed shortly after 7:45 pm. The plane was apparently used to transport military equipment to the Syrian army and Hezbollah.

Residents from central Israel reported seeing a trail of smoke in the sky near Hadera. The trail was also seen in the north. “We were sitting in the living room when the noise shook the entire house. We heard a launch and immediately went outside. It was flying fast, we saw a trail of smoke and a yellow spot in the sky. It’s not the first time, it already happened twice since we’ve moved here a decade ago,” said Sa’ar Pardi, a resident of Maor, a moshav in north-central Israel.

Smoke trail seen in the sky near Hadera, December 25, 2018 (Photo: Sa’ar Pardi)

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will escalate its fight against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria after the withdrawal of US troops from the country. “We will continue to aggressively act against Iran’s efforts to entrench in Syria. We do not intend to reduce our efforts. We will intensify them, and I know that we do so with the full support and backing of the United States.”

Earlier this month, Syria reported that air defense system had been used against enemy targets in Damascus. According to the report, the attack was carried out in the air space of Damascus airport. Not long after, the reports were removed.

The Foreign Ministry attributed the attack to “the direct result of the American policy of contempt for human values and the disrespect shown in the establishment of the coalition that attacked Deir al-Zour.” It was the first time the Syrians had admitted an Israeli attack since the Russian plane crash in September.

In recent months there have been fewer reports of Israeli attacks in Syria, especially after the downing of the Russian aircraft.

Reuters contributed to this report.