Israel Reportedly Strikes Iranian-linked Military Sites in Syria

The Israel Defense Forces reportedly struck numerous targets near Damascus in the first such alleged operation since Defense Minister Naftali Bennett vowed to intensify the Jewish state’s year-long military campaign in Syria to force Iran to withdraw militarily from the country. According to Arab media, the IDF targeted several weapons depots in a series of strikes conducted from the Golan Heights and off the Lebanese coast. Israeli reports claimed that Jerusalem had decided to walk back its decision to minimize attacks in Syria in order to placate Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to visit Israel next month. Moscow became the de facto power in Syria after intervening in the conflict on behalf of the Assad regime in September 2015. Putin is reportedly upset over ongoing Israeli strikes in Syria, a reality analysts believe at least partially accounts for Russia’s recent jailing of an Israeli citizen for seven years on trumped up drug charges and this month’s detainment of dozens of Israeli tourists attempting to enter the country.