Israeli Strikes Hit Syria, Possibly Engaging Russian Anti-Air Missiles
Israel has been conducting strikes on Syria for several consecutive days, with the most recent attacks occurring on the outskirts of Damascus, in the western part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate near Lebanon. Syrian national media reports that anti-air defense missiles are being used against "hostile targets".
Israeli Attack on Syria's Coast Nearly Clashes with Russian Military
An overnight attack on Syria's coast by Israel has brought the two nations close to conflict for the first time. Reports suggest that an Israeli drone and warplanes targeted sites in the coastal Syrian city of Jableh. A weapons depot was reportedly targeted and destroyed, which was located near the Hmeimim Air Base, Russia's largest air base in Syria.
Chinese state media, citing a war monitor, reported that "Syrian air defenses and Russian forces responded to the attack within 40 to 50 minutes." Large explosions were heard throughout the area, resulting in significant fires.
Conflicting Reports on Russian Airbase Strike
There are unconfirmed reports in Arabic media that the Russian airbase was directly hit, but these claims are disputed. Some Syrian opposition outlets claim that the targeted warehouse was inside Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase. However, it is clear that the strikes were very close to the Russian airbase, making it highly likely that Russian anti-air defenses were activated.
Close Calls Between Israel and Russia
Throughout the Syrian proxy war, there have been several close calls where Israel and Russia nearly clashed. The most severe instance occurred in September 2018 when an Israeli attack on Syria resulted in the downing of a large Russian reconnaissance plane. The plane was patrolling over the Syrian coastal area during a surprise Israeli air raid and was reportedly struck by 'friendly fire' from Syrian anti-air batteries as they attempted to repel the Israeli planes. This incident resulted in the death of 15 Russian crew members.
Russian Response to Israeli Strikes
There has been no official government confirmation that Russia engaged inbound Israeli jets in this latest incident over Jableh and Hmeimim Air Base. Russian accounts have denied that the base was directly attacked. Moscow has generally downplayed previous incidents, possibly to maintain its delicate relations with Israel and avoid escalation.
Analyst Commentary on the Situation
Syrian and regional analyst Kevork Almassian suggests that Israel's recent large-scale military aggression on the Syrian coast near the city of Jableh could mark a significant turning point in the ongoing regional conflict. This attack followed a meeting between Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Special Envoy on Syria, and Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Almassian suggests that Israel interpreted this meeting, along with Lavrentiev's statements, as tacit Russian approval of Iran’s retaliatory actions. As a result, Israel targeted warehouses of the Russian forces. This likely led to the joint response from Syrian and Russian air defenses, a departure from previous Israeli strikes where Russia had refrained from direct involvement in the defense effort.
Bottom Line
The Israeli strike on a Russian facility in Syria is a serious escalation. The actions suggest that Israel is not only confronting the "Axis of Resistance" but is also risking Russian interests. If Moscow chooses to respond, it could dramatically alter the balance of power in the region. What are your thoughts on this escalating situation? Do you think this could lead to a significant shift in regional power dynamics? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
