Israel strikes Iran-backed Hezbollah arms depot near Damascus airport

DAMASCUS, Syria (Kurdistan24) – Israel on Thursday struck a Hezbollah arms supply hub near Damascus airport, Reuters quoted Syrian rebel and regional intelligence sources.

The strikes targeted military positions of the Lebanese group Hezbollah where weapons sent from Iran via commercial and military cargo planes are kept.

Five strikes hit an ammunition depot used by Iran-backed militias, according to Syrian rebels.

Israeli missiles hit a military position southwest of the airport causing explosions and some material losses, Syrian state TV said without specifying the damage.

No casualties have been reported yet.

Russia, an ally of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, denounced the Israeli strike as a violation of Syrian sovereignty.

Israel Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, speaking to Army Radio from the United States, appeared to confirm involvement.

“The incident in Syria corresponds completely with Israel’s policy to act to prevent Iran’s smuggling of advanced weapons via Syria to Hezbollah,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “said that whenever we receive intelligence that indicates an intention to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah, we will act,” he added.

Assad is supported by regional Shia militias from Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon including Hezbollah which is a close ally of Tehran.

Israel considers Hezbollah its biggest threat. The two fought for months in 2006.

Israel maintains Hezbollah has built up an arsenal of over 100,000 rockets, many of which would be capable of striking anywhere within Israeli territory.

The last conflict between the two left 1,300 people dead and uprooted over a million Lebanese and 300,000 to 500,000 Israelis.

As estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Shia fighters, who play a significant role in military campaigns launched by the Syrian army, were reportedly flown to Damascus.

Israel which has not been greatly involved in the war in Syria—that has included numerous foreign forces—refers to two red lines which have promoted military response.

Israeli officials have said any supply of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, and the establishment of “launch sites” for attacks on Israel from the Golan Heights region would result in military provocations.

Israel says it is concerned about “Iranian activity in Syria and the Iranian use of Syrian soil as a base for arms smuggling to Hezbollah in Lebanon.”

Israeli officials estimate Iran commands about 25,000 fighters in Syria, including members of its Revolutionary Guard, Shia militants from Iraq, and recruits from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany