After Assad’s fall
Activists: Israel is massively attacking Syria’s military facilities
After the fall of the Assad government, military equipment remains that could fall into the hands of the insurgents. According to activists, Israel is now bombing the country more heavily than ever before.
After the overthrow of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel is carrying out its heaviest attacks to date in Syria, according to activists. In less than 12 hours, Israel attacked more than 100 targets in the country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. These are the “most serious attacks (Israel) in Syria’s history,” said the head of the observatory, Rami Abdel-Rahman, to the German Press Agency. The UK-based organization relies on informants in Syria.
With the attacks, Israel apparently wants to destroy important military facilities and capabilities of the Assad government. The air strikes hit research centers, weapons depots, naval ships, airports and air fleets, it said. The Syrian air defense was also put out of action with the attacks in Damascus, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Daraa.
Rebel commander speaks of more than 140 attacks
A rebel military commander confirmed more than 140 attacks in 24 hours. Israel bombed more than 40 military targets, including long-range missile depots and tank and artillery depots. After the attacks on a research center, local residents reported a strong smell of gas, according to eyewitnesses. Assad repeatedly used poison gas against civilians and rebels during the civil war.
When asked, Israel did not comment on the attacks. Israel had repeatedly bombed targets of militias loyal to Iran in Syria in order to reduce the influence of its arch-enemy Iran, and increased these attacks after the start of the Gaza war 14 months ago.
A military reporter from the Israeli Army Radio spoke of an unprecedented operation and more than 250 air strikes over two days. Tanks, aircraft, helicopters, ships, anti-aircraft systems, missiles, military factories, intelligence facilities and everything that the Syrian state’s army has maintained and built up over decades were destroyed. The new rebel government must rebuild its military capabilities with M16 and Kalashnikov rifles.
According to media reports, after the fall of Assad, Israel’s air force had already attacked a chemical weapons factory in Syria – reportedly out of concern that the weapons could fall into the hands of rebels.
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
