Israel declares “freedom of action” in Syrian skies
The Israeli military has said it will not limit its operations in Syrian airspace to counter Iran, following the attack on two Syrian bases today.
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Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Photo:AFP |
"We will maintain our freedom of action. Israel accepts no limits in protecting its national security interests. All options are on the table,"Walla Newsquoted Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman as saying on April 16.
The statement came just before the attack on Syria, which targeted the Shayrat air base in Homs province and another base northeast of the capital Damascus. Syrian news agencySANAsaid the country's air defense system was activated and shot down about 10 missiles.
| Syria intercepts missiles targeting Shayrat airport. |
Al-Masdar NewsThe missile entered Syrian airspace from Lebanon, a military source said, indicating that the Israeli air force may have been involved, while an Israeli military spokesman said the country had no information about the attack. The Pentagon said the US had no military activity in Homs.
The attack comes just over a week after an airstrike on Syria’s T-4 military airport on April 9. The Russian military said two Israeli F-15 fighter jets fired eight cruise missiles at the base, five of which were shot down by Syrian air defenses. The remaining three hit the western part of the airport, killing 14 people, mostly Iranians and Tehran-backed militants.
"We do not want to provoke the Russian side. Israel maintains a line of communication at the command level. The Russian side understands our intentions, and in fact the two sides have avoided unintended conflicts for many years," said Mr. Lieberman.
Israel's defense minister affirmed that although the country respects Russia's interests in Syria, Israel will continue to confront the threat from Iran, affirming that the Israeli military has the right to attack Iran-related targets on Syrian territory.
Tel Aviv sees Tehran as an existential threat and the greatest danger to the country's future, while Iran also regularly threatens Israel.
Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Both countries see themselves as part of an alliance against US and Israeli influence in the Middle East. As a country that borders Syria, Israel is concerned that Iran will focus on building a military infrastructure that could help it confront Israel in the future.
