Syrian Rocket Salvo Widens Assault on Israel

Latest Developments

At least six rockets were launched from Syria at the Golan Heights in the early hours of Sunday, opening a new front against Israel in an Iranian-orchestrated escalation of hostilities. The attack set off sirens and sent residents to shelters in the communities of Natur and Avnei Eitan, but caused no casualties. The Israeli military shot down at least one rocket.

In retaliation, Israel carried out UAV and artillery strikes against the rocket launchers. Fighter jets struck Syrian military targets including radars, artillery positions, and a 4th Division compound. Explosions were reported near the capital Damascus.

Briefing U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hours earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted Iran’s role in fomenting attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and described Syria as another link in this proxy war. He further said Iran was encouraging terrorism within Israel and against Israelis abroad.

Expert Analysis

“With Iran-backed Hezbollah having sat out the exchange of fire between Israel and Lebanon, it appears that Iran is currently banking on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as its fighting proxies. They have smaller footprints in Lebanon and Syria, and their headquarters and leaders in the Gaza Strip are presumed to enjoy a degree of immunity given Israel’s reluctance to tip that territory into another full-blown conflict. But the daily attacks on Israel from multiple staging grounds is a sampling of the far more frequent and lethal provocations that can be expected should Iran go nuclear.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The IDF strike on the 4th Division compound is a shot across the Assad regime’s bow. This division is an elite Syrian military outfit whose roles include safeguarding the regime. Israel is signaling to Damascus that while it may not have been directly involved in the rockets launched against the Golan, it bears overall responsibility and risks destabilization if the situation escalates further.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Related Analysis

“Israel Answers Rocket Barrage with Air Raids in Lebanon and Gaza Strip,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Gunmen Kill Two Sisters, Critically Injure Mother in West Bank Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Intercepts Rocket Barrage from Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief