Israeli Air Force jets struck several Iranian and Syrian targets in the Syria in retaliation to rocket attacks, the most extensive air str...
Israeli Air Force jets struck several Iranian and Syrian targets in the Syria in retaliation to rocket attacks, the most extensive air strike against the country since the disengagement agreement between the two in 1974.
On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, the Quds force, a special force wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, stationed in Syria, shot 20 rockets towards IDF posts in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights earlier in the night.
Israel Defense Forces said its Iron Dome air defense systems intercepted four of the rockets, preventing casualties and damage. This is the first time that Iranian forces have directly fired at Israeli troops.
Around 28 IAF F-15I and F-16I fighter jets took part in the strike missions which were carried out from Lebanese airspace.
Russia's Defense Ministry said that the Israel fired 70 missiles, adding that Syria shot down more than half of them.
The fighter jets employed the standoff Delilah and Popeye guided precision strike missiles to attack Iranian intelligence sites, the Quds force logistics headquarters, an Iranian military compound in Syria, observation and military posts.
Syrian aerial defense forces fired towards the IAF aircraft as they conducted the strikes. In response, the IAF targeted several Syrian air defense systems including SA-5, SA-2, SA-22, SA-17. All of the IDF’s fighter jets returned to their bases safely.
Israel has been claiming that Iran is setting up bases of operations in Syria in order to stage attacks against the country. It has launched numerous air strikes against Syrian government-controlled territories, targeting alleged Iranian positions.
The Golan Heights in southwestern Syria have been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967 and are internationally recognized as a Syrian territory.
