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(Image source: The New York Times)
BY ZACH TOOMBS
Two days have held news of two separate attacks by Israeli forces on Syrian soil — both
reportedly meant to stop the flow of Iranian weapons through Syria, and into Lebanon.
Early Sunday, Israel launched an attack on the outskirts of Syria's capital, Damascus.
Western intelligence officials have told media the target was a weapons cache. Syrian state
television says it was a research facility. A media consultant in Damascus... (Via Al
...tells the BBC the blasts woke most of the city around 2 a.m.
"We are used to explosions and sounds of artillery but this one was really unreal. It was one
of the louder explosions I've ever heard."
Although details of Sunday's attack remain unconfirmed by Israel, the nation's government
confirmed Saturday an attack earlier this week that targeted Iranian weapons — routed
through Syria — to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a longtime ally of both Iran
and Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad. (Via Google Earth)
The airstrike Saturday was carried by Israeli warplanes, hitting weapons that included advanced
traditional missiles, but none of the chemical weapons the Syrian government is believed
to be storing. (Via CNN)
Months ago, the U.N. estimated more than 70,000 people had died in Syria's two-year civil
war. Though Israel's attacks on the government there have been in Israel's interest — not
in an effort to end the conflict or bring down the Assad regime. (Via Sky News)
Israel has bombed targets within Syria before this week's strikes. A January bombing also
took out weapons being sent to Hezbollah that Israel feared would be used against its own
country.