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Stephen Lendman
More About: SyriaIsrael Admits Bombing Syria
Israel Admits Bombing Syria
by Stephen Lendman
Throughout Obama's war on Syria, Trump escalating it, Israel terror-bombed targets in the country numerous times - clear acts of naked aggression.
The latest incident occurred overnight Thursday. Israeli warplanes terror-bombed several targets in Syria. This time, they were counted by anti-aircraft surface-to-air (SAM) missiles.
An IDF statement said "(s)everal…were launched from Syria following the mission," one intercepted by Israel's Arrow aerial defense system.
The IDF said its warplanes returned safely to Israeli airspace before Syria's military responded, claiming none were struck struck. A Syrian army statement said four Israeli warplanes illegally entered its airspace, one downed over "occupied ground," another damaged.
In February, Lebanon's media reported an Israeli strike on an arms convoy near Damascus, the attack carried out from Lebanese airspace.
In January, Syria denounced what it called a "flagrant" attack on a military airport west of Damascus. Israel's Thursday night attack likely struck other military targets - clear acts of aggression under international law, perhaps an attempt to undermine shaky peace talks, along with goading Syria to respond more forcefully, giving the IDF a pretext to escalate attacks.
Separately, Israeli warplanes terror-bombed Gaza, a frequent occurrence. Two overnight strikes targeted the Strip's weakened electricity infrastructure. No injuries were reported.
Three power lines were damaged. Affected areas lost access to electricity. Israeli officials lied claiming Hamas is "preparing" for another war.
Retaliatory measures were threatened. On Tuesday, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said it's "not seeking new military confrontations with the Israeli occupation." If the IDF aggressively attacks, its fighters will respond in self-defense.
"We are not war fanatics, but we are a bereaved and oppressed people who resist occupation," he added.
In February, the Gaza-based Mezan Center for Human Rights said Israel may be planning another war, the fourth on the Strip since December 2008 if launched.
It called on the international community to "act promptly against Israel's military escalation, to fulfill their obligations to protect civilians, and ensure respect for the rules of international law."
It stressed "acting before a full-scale military bombardment is launched is crucial to ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip."
Separately, Press TV said US warplanes terror-bombed a mosque west of Aleppo, massacring 42 civilians.
Area resident Abu Muhammed said he heard powerful explosions "right after the prayer at the time (when) there are usually religious lessons for men" at the mosque.
"I saw 15 bodies and lots of body parts in the debris when I arrived. We couldn't even recognize some of the bodies," he added.
The brutal attack, a clear war crime, came after Syrian authorities contacted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning of potential disaster because of US-led airstrikes near the Euphrates and Tishrin dams.
Severely damaging or destroying them "will wash away and flood cities, towns and villages, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living in those areas," Damascus said.
Trump administration actions show it doesn't want diplomatic conflict resolution. Its escalation in northern Syria shows it wants it wants endless conflict like in other US war theaters.
Devastating slaughter, destruction and human misery don't matter.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
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Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
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