Israel Strikes Air Defense Bases in Syria Amid Rising Tensions on Northern Border

In the early hours of Tuesday, Israeli missiles struck two air defense bases in southern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The attacks occurred in Daraa province, near the armistice line that separates Syrian and Israeli forces on the Golan Heights. The strikes come at a time of heightened tensions on Israel’s northern border, following a deadly rocket strike on the annexed Golan Heights over the weekend.

Despite the significant nature of these strikes, Syria’s state-run media did not report on the incidents. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from these overnight attacks.

The escalation follows a severe warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has promised a strong response to the recent rocket strike that killed 12 youths in Majdal Shams, a Druze Arab town in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu, during a visit to the town, stated, “The State of Israel will not, and cannot, let this pass. Our response will come and it will be severe.” His visit coincided with protests and the mourning of the last victim, 11-year-old Guevara Ibrahim.

The recent violence has been linked to Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, an Iran-backed group that has frequently exchanged fire with Israeli forces. This near-daily conflict has been ongoing since the war in Gaza between Hamas militants and Israel erupted in October last year. Israel and the United States have pointed fingers at Hezbollah for the latest attack on the Golan Heights.

In an effort to mitigate the situation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib mentioned a series of diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation. “Israel will escalate in a limited way and Hezbollah will respond in a limited way… These are the assurances we’ve received,” Bou Habib stated in an interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.

The region has been a hotspot for conflict for years, with the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981, remaining a particularly volatile area. The recent developments underscore the fragile nature of peace and the potential for rapid escalation in this contested region. 

As the situation unfolds, both local and international communities are closely monitoring the developments, hoping to avoid a full-blown conflict that could further destabilize the region.