January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike
This article may be unbalanced towards certain viewpoints. (May 2013) |
January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike | |
---|---|
Part of SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles to Hezbollah | |
Date | 31 January 2013 |
Executed by | Alleged Israeli Air Force involvement |
Outcome | Destruction of anti-aircraft missiles destined for Hezbollah and collateral damage to nearby research center on biological and chemical weapons[1] |
Casualties | 2 people killed (official Syrian report)[2] |
The January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike was an aerial attack in the Rif Dimashq Governorate of Syria, which targeted a convoy alleged to be carrying weapons from Syria to the Lebanese Shi'a militia Hezbollah.[3] The convoy was attacked on 31 January 2013. According to several media sources, Israeli forces allegedly conducted the strike, however Israel hasn't officially responded to the allegations.[2]
The convoy was attacked while parked at a facility of the
Israel did not officially confirm responsibility for the bombing, but Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak suggested that it could have been behind the attack, saying on 3 February, "I cannot add anything to what you've read in the newspapers about what happened in Syria several days ago, but I keep telling, frankly, that we've said – and that's another proof that when we say something we mean it – we say that we don't think that it should be allowable to bring advanced weapon systems into Lebanon."[8]
Background
The attack in January 2013 was reportedly part of
Despite the
This was the first attack in Syria, in which Israel was accused, since
The raid
The attack consisted of about ten jets, flying from the Mediterranean over southern Lebanon. The jets were tracked by both NATO and Lebanese radars. An early report said some planes crossed into Syria, fired eight missiles at their target, and then flew back over the Mediterranean.[11] It was later reported that the warplanes did not enter Syrian airspace, but launched the attack from Lebanese airspace.[12]
Hussam Hush Nawis (also known as Hassan Shateri), a senior commander of
Syria maintained that Israel had bombed a "scientific research center" at
Reactions
- Israel: Boaz Ganor, director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, warned that if Syria's weapons falls into the hands of jihadist groups like al-Qaeda, that would be a global threat.[14]
- Russia: "If this information is confirmed, then we are dealing with the unprovoked attacks on targets on the territory of a sovereign country, which blatantly violates the UN Charter and is unacceptable, no matter what the motives were to justify it."[15]
- Iran: Minister of foreign affairs Ali Akbar Salehi condemned the alleged airstrike as an "overt assault based on the West's policy" to undermine stability in Syria. "The Zionists got ahead of themselves in trying to cover up the successes of the Syrian government and nation in maintaining the existing government and restoring stability and security". Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said the raid would have "grave consequences for Tel Aviv".[15]
Aftermath
Additional
However, according to Abdulkader Saleh, a commander in the Free Syrian Army, opposition forces were about to receive a transfer of weapons with the help of several pro-rebel high ranking Syrian officials when Israel attacked to prevent this from occurring. Saleh stated: "This assault, of course, was intended to support the Assad administration".[21]
According to anonymous US officials, Israel allegedly launched another
See also
References
- ^ a b Ernesto Londoño and Joby Warrick, Israeli airstrike in Syria targeted a shipment of weapons, 2 U.S. officials say. Washington Post. 4 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Syria says Israeli airstrike destroyed military facility". Los Angeles Times. 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Israel strikes Syrian weapons en route to Hezbollah". The Jerusalem Post. 30 January 2013.
- ^ Assad fumes as Israel admits Syria air strike. The Express Tribune. 4 February 2013.
- ^ a b Israeli raid in Syria reportedly damaged research site. The Times of Israel. 4 February 2013.
- ^ a b Sanger, David E.; Schmitt, Eric; Rudoren, Jodi (3 February 2013). "Israeli strike into Syria said to damage research site". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ Image indicates Syria building unscathed by Israel strike. Reuters. 6 February 2013
- ^ "Israeli defense minister suggests role in Syria airstrike". CNN. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Israel's attack on Syria part of clandestine war against Hezbollah". The Vancouver Sun. 1 February 2013.
- ^ "What we know about the Israeli air strike in Syria". Washington Post. 30 January 2013.
- ^ Syrian rebel raids expose secrets of once-feared military, The Guardian, 4 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
- ^ Barnett, David (28 April 2013). "Israeli Air Force struck SSRC facility without entering Syrian airspace". Long War Journal. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ "Rebels: Iranian official killed in airstrike on Syria". Ynetnews. 14 February 2013.
- ^ a b Anne Barnard and Jodi Rudoren. "Syria says it has right to counterattack Israel". The New York Times. 31 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Russia concern at Israeli 'air strike' on Syria". BBC News. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ "'IAF strike in Syria targeted arms from Iran'". Jerusalem Post. 4 May 2013.
- ^ Cohen, Gili (5 May 2013). "'Israel overnight strike targeted Iranian missile shipment meant for Hezbollah'". Ha'aretz. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ Williams, Dan (6 May 2013). "Israel to Assad: air strikes did not aim to help Syria rebels". Reuters. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ Scott, David Clark (4 May 2013). "Why Israel bombed Syria, again". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ Bar'el, Zvi (4 May 2013). "Syrian opposition claims IAF strike targeted Damascus airport". Haaretz. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ 'Israel, Hezbollah, Iran are working with Assad', by JPOST.COM, dated 13 May 2013.
- ^ "Report: Israel behind recent strike on Syria missile depot, U.S. officials say". Haaretz. 12 July 2013.
- ^ Mysterious explosion hits Assad munitions cache in Latakia". Ynetnews. 6 July 2013.