Jets fly over the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights heading toward Syria

 

The Syrian army reported that Israeli forces targeted military barracks in al-Safirah, located in the eastern Aleppo countryside. Earlier, state television had claimed that a research facility was the focus of the attack. The army stated that it is currently evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

A regional intelligence source suggested that Israel is intensifying its operations in Syria while global attention, including in the region, remains focused on the coronavirus pandemic. The Israeli army declined to comment on the incident.

Western intelligence sources report that Iranian-backed militias have established a significant presence in Aleppo province, setting up bases, command centers, and advanced weapons installations as part of their expanding influence in Syrian government-controlled areas.

The Scientific Studies and Research Center is suspected by Western intelligence and opposition groups of being involved, with Iranian collaboration, in the development of chemical weapons. These groups claim such weapons have been used by Syrian forces under Bashar al-Assad against civilians in rebel-controlled areas. Damascus and Moscow deny these allegations, attributing chemical attacks to jihadist rebels instead.

Israel has previously struck military research facilities in Syria believed to be involved in the development of chemical and biological weapons. Most recently, Israeli helicopters reportedly launched rockets from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights at sites in southern Syria linked to Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, according to Syrian and intelligence sources. The Syrian government typically refrains from mentioning Iranian sites when reporting on Israeli raids.

On the same day, major explosions occurred at an ammunition depot near Homs, which were also suspected to be the result of an Israeli strike, as reported by a war monitor and intelligence sources.

A 'Shadow War' Against Iran

Israel has admitted to carrying out numerous strikes in Syria since the civil war began in 2011, citing Iran's presence in the region as a strategic threat. Regional intelligence sources describe these attacks as part of a broader, US-backed "shadow war" aimed at weakening Iran’s military influence without triggering large-scale conflict. Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett recently stated that Israel intends to escalate its efforts against Iran in Syria.

In a related development, Israeli jets reportedly targeted Iranian-backed militias in Albukamal, a strategic border town near Iraq where Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitary groups maintain a stronghold. This area has seen previous US military action, including strikes in January against Iran-backed militia groups in response to provocations attributed to Iran.

Iran's alliance with Russia has been instrumental in helping Assad reclaim significant territory from opposition forces that once sought to end his authoritarian rule.