IDF Strike on Syria Targets Iran Revolutionary Guard

The Fellowship | January 22, 2019

SYRIA-ISRAEL-IRAN-CONFLICT — A picture taken early on January 21, 2019 shows Syrian air defence batteries responding to what the Syrian state media said were Israeli missiles targeting Damascus. - Israel struck what it said were Iranian targets in Syria today in response to rocket fire it blamed on Iran, sparking concerns of an escalation after a monitor reported 11 fighters killed. Israel openly claimed responsibility for the strikes against facilities it said belonged to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, continuing its recent practice of speaking more openly about such raids. (Photo by STR / AFP) (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Early on Monday morning, the Israeli military carried out airstrikes on targets near the Damascus airport. Ynet News reports that of those killed in the strikes, many were members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and that the sites targeted were Iranian military and intelligence installations:

[T]he death toll included 15 foreign nationals, of which at least 12 were members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Syrian state-run news outlets said that at least four Syrian soldiers were killed in the bombardment.

In an official statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed the strikes, and said the targets included munition storage sites, an area of Damascus International Airport, an Iranian intelligence site and an Iranian military training camp.

“During the strikes, dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched, despite clear warnings to avoid such fire. In response, several of the Syrian Armed Forces’ aerial defense batteries were targeted,” the IDF said in a statement.

“Some of the sites we attacked were inside Syrian bases, from which Iran operates. We have also struck an Iranian facility in the Damascus international airport, while working in coordination with Russia according to standard protocol. We are prepared for any scenario and have bolstered our offensive as well as defensive systems,” the army said…