Syrian Army: 2 soldiers, 4 civilians killed in Israeli airstrikes

State-controlled Sana News Agency says air defense systems were operating against 'hostile targets', while state TV says strikes were in airspace in southeast of country and eastern province of Deir al-Zor, near Iraq border

Daniel Salami, Reuters|
The Syrian army said that two soldiers and four civilians were killed Tuesday night in airstrikes it attributed to Israel.
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  • State-run Syrian television said the country's air defenses had responded to the airstrikes, while state-controlled Sana News Agency said the air defense systems were operating against "hostile targets."
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    Archive: A previous airstrike in Syria that was attributed to Israel
    Archive: A previous airstrike in Syria that was attributed to Israel
    Archive: A previous airstrike in Syria that was attributed to Israel
    The TV said the strikes were in airspace in the southeastern part of the country, near the city of Sweida, and in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor bordering Iraq.
    The casualties took place in the attacks near Sweida, the army said.
    A little over two weeks ago, a widespread attack was launched against Iranian targets in eastern Syria, with unidentified aircraft again reported to have attacked targets of pro-Iranian militias in the Deir al-Zor region.
    According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least eight strikes took place, killing at least 12 activists from Iraq and Afghanistan.
    Firearms and ammunition were also destroyed in the strikes.  
    Regional intelligence sources say that Israel's strikes on Syria are part of a shadow war approved by Washington and part of the anti-Iran policy that has in the last two years undermined Iran's extensive military power without triggering a major increase in hostilities.
    2 View gallery
    Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bakri on a tour of the Syrian city of Aleppo last year
    Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bakri on a tour of the Syrian city of Aleppo last year
    Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bakri on a tour of the Syrian city of Aleppo last year
    (Photo: AP/Syrian Central Military Media)
    Israel has acknowledged conducting multiple raids inside Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011 where it sees Iran's presence as a strategic threat.
    Israeli defense officials have said in recent weeks that their country would step up its campaign against Iran in Syria where with the help of its proxy militias Tehran has expanded it's presence.
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