Iran accuses Israel of “criminal” attack, 18 reportedly killed in Syria

Security and military news section 09-09-2024

Iran has condemned Israel for what it described as a “criminal” attack in central Syria, where reports indicate that 18 individuals lost their lives.

“We firmly denounce this criminal assault by the Zionist regime on Syrian territory,” stated Nasser Kanani, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, during a press briefing in Tehran. He urged Israel’s allies to cease their support and supply of arms to the country, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Since the October 7th attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians and soldiers, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on targets in Syria, particularly focusing on Iranian-backed militias, Syrian air defenses, and military units.

In recent years, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes in Syrian territories under government control but seldom acknowledges or provides details on the operations. These strikes primarily target Syrian military assets and Iranian-aligned groups, as Israel seeks to prevent Iran’s military influence from deepening in Syria, which serves as a vital supply route for Iran to arm Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant organization.