Israeli Air Strikes Against Syrian Rebels, Not Assad

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Politician close to Binyamin Netanyahu says weekend bombing raids were 'against Hezbollah and not against the Syrian regime'

Israel sought to avoid a direct confrontation with the Syrian regime on Monday by stressing that air strikes across its northern border at the weekend were intended to prevent weapons reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon rather than further destabilise the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Amid a cautious consensus that the bombing raids were unlikely to provoke an immediate response from Syria, or its allies Hezbollah and Iran, an Israeli politician close to the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said the action was "against Hezbollah and not against the Syrian regime".

The Israeli air strikes targeted stocks of Iranian-supplied Fateh-110 missiles, which have a 200-mile range and precision guidance systems held near Damascus, following unambiguous warnings that it would act to prevent sophisticated weapons reaching Hezbollah or jihadist fighters inside Syria. In line with custom, Israel has made no comment on the bombings.

Interviewed on Israel Radio, Tzachi Hanegbi said the aim of the military action was "to keep advanced weapons from Hezbollah as soon as intentions are exposed, and refrain from tension with Syria".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/06/israel-syria-air-strikes-assad-government

I wonder what McCain will say now.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

LOL @ the Hezbollah cover story. As if either Assad or the rebels would send weapons to Hezbollah right now... they both need all the weapons they can get to arm their own forces.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I wonder what McCain will say now.

Who cares what McCain says? Israel is doing what they feel they need to. They're the one's who have to live in that neighborhood.

[Pooky 3,850]

Hezbollah are allied with the Assad regime and not among the rebel groups, so the thread title should be changed for accuracy.

As for the Israeli action, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an intentional move on the part of the Assad regime. If it came to light that a missile shipment was being readied for delivery to Hezbollah, then the Israeli reaction would be rather predictable. The upside for the Assad regime is to deflect attention from the recent, high profile massacres in the Syrian civil war.

For the Israelis, the upside is to show the Americans that an air campaign, similar to Libya, is a low- risk strategy should credible proof be uncovered regarding the existence and location of any Syrian chemical weapons.

What is telling is the lack of any real response to the Israeli attack. In the past, this has been a telltale indicator that the Israelis hit a justifiable target, especially when it comes to action within Syria.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The German newspaper "Die Welt" titled the news article "Israel attacks Iran in Syria". Sounds about right.

[GandD 5,966]

The German newspaper "Die Welt" titled the news article "Israel attacks Iran in Syria". Sounds about right.

That's hitting them where it hurts. Right in the ol' Syria.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hezbollah are allied with the Assad regime and not among the rebel groups, so the thread title should be changed for accuracy.

As for the Israeli action, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an intentional move on the part of the Assad regime. If it came to light that a missile shipment was being readied for delivery to Hezbollah, then the Israeli reaction would be rather predictable. The upside for the Assad regime is to deflect attention from the recent, high profile massacres in the Syrian civil war.

For the Israelis, the upside is to show the Americans that an air campaign, similar to Libya, is a low- risk strategy should credible proof be uncovered regarding the existence and location of any Syrian chemical weapons.

What is telling is the lack of any real response to the Israeli attack. In the past, this has been a telltale indicator that the Israelis hit a justifiable target, especially when it comes to action within Syria.

You mean like the nuclear reactor Israel took out in Syria back in 2007?

The Story of 'Operation Orchard': How Israel Destroyed Syria's Al Kibar Nuclear Reactor

[Pooky 3,850]

You mean like the nuclear reactor Israel took out in Syria back in 2007?

The Story of 'Operation Orchard': How Israel Destroyed Syria's Al Kibar Nuclear Reactor

Something of the sort, yes.