On 8 May 2018, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the Iran “Nuclear Deal”, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Shortly afterward, Israeli jets attacked the southern Damascus neighborhood of Al-Kiswah, allegedly targeting Iranian rocket launchers in the area which were being aimed at Israeli territory. Since then, the crisis has continued to spiral rapidly, with the potential to spark a larger regional war being very high.
Syrian Pantsir-S1 being destroyed by an Israeli missile (courtesy IDF)
Israel had been warning for several days about the potential for Iranian forces (or proxies working for Iran) to fire missiles from Syrian territory into Israel, revenge for Israeli airstrikes on 9 April. The launches would then be denied by the Iranians. Thus, it was no surprise when, on 10 May (two days after the last Israeli strikes), Iranian forces (allegedly members of the Quds Force and/or IRGC) and (possibly) Syrian forces lauched 20 Fajr-5 surface-to-surface missiles at Israeli targets in the Golan Heights. The missiles represented the first missiles launched by Syrian forces into Israeli territory since the 1973 war, and combined with the Israeli response constituted the most intense period of combat between the two sides since the conclusion of the aforementioned war. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded, launching between 50-70 missiles into Syrian territory. At least 25 Syrian soldiers were killed, and at least one radar site was destroyed. The IDF also reported that the Iron Dome system had intercepted “a number” of Iranian missiles, although the number was not specified.
Locations of IDF strikes in Syria (Courtesy IDF)
The clashes come at a time of heightened tension in the region as America withdraws from the JCPOA and Israel faces the possibility of a more belligerent Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent the day before the clashes in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he reportedly informed Russia of his intentions to strike Iranian targets in Syria. This may explain the lack of a Russian response, of any kind, during or after the attacks. All involved parties have expressed a desire to see an end to the escalations in the hours that have passed since the attacks.
We will continue to update you on the situation as it develops.
