By ZEINA KARAM Wed, January 13, 2021, 9:20 AM
BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes on eastern Syria early Wednesday, apparently targeting positions and arms depots of Iran-backed fighters. Dozens of fighters were killed or wounded, according to an opposition war monitor.
Syria’s state news agency SANA said the strikes hit areas in and near the towns of Deir el-Zour, Mayadeen and Boukamal along the border with Iraq. It gave no further details.
An opposition war monitor reported at least 18 strikes in Deir el-Zour as well as along the border with Iraq, saying several arms depots were hit. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 23 people were killed, including seven Syrians, and the rest were Iran-backed fighters. It said 28 were wounded.
A senior U.S. intelligence official with knowledge of the attack told The Associated Press that the airstrikes were carried out with intelligence provided by the United States and targeted a series of warehouses in Syria that were being used as a part of the pipeline to store and stage Iranian weapons.
The official said the warehouses also served as a pipeline for components that supports Iran’s nuclear program.
“They burnt Iranian positions in Deir el-Zour,” said Omar Abu Laila, a Europe-based activist from Syria’s eastern Deir el-Zour province who runs an activist collective that reports on news in the border area.
Israel has launched hundreds of strikes against Iran-linked military targets in Syria over the years but rarely acknowledges or discusses such operations.
The strikes came amid rising tensions in the region and amid concerns that Iran might carry out attacks to avenge last year’s killing of one of its top commanders, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Israel views Iranian entrenchment on its northern frontier as a red line, and it has repeatedly struck Iran-linked facilities and weapons convoys destined for Hezbollah.
The U.S. official, who requested anonymity to speak about sensitive national security matters, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Tuesday’s airstrike with Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen, Israel’s spy agency, at Café Milano in Washington on Monday.
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US: We provided Israel with intel for Syria strike
Official say Israel carried out airstrike using American intel on Iranian warehouses in Syria used to import material for nuclear program.
David Rosenberg , Jan 13 , 2021 12:00 PM<
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A senior US official informed sources that today’s air strike against weapons warehouses in Syria was carried out by Israel, using American intelligence reports.
The official said that the attack targeted weapons stockpiles imported from Iran, according to a report by The Associated Press.
The official added that the warehouses hit also served as part of a pipeline for importing components used in Iran for the country’s nuclear program.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the planned airstrike with Mossad chief Yossi Cohen on Monday at a meeting in the Washington restaurant Cafe Milano, the source claimed.
Images of the destroyed site have made their way to social media networks.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 23 fighters were killed in the airstrikes, including seven Syrians and 16 foreign pro-Iranian combatants. An additional 28 people were injured in the airstrikes.
The monitory group said that at least 18 targets were struck in the attacks.
Omar Abu Laila, a Europe-based activist, said that at least 16 buildings used by Iran and Iranian-backed militias had been hit in Deir Ezzor, Mayadeen, and Boukamal.
Syrian media reported on Tuesday night that Israel conducted air strikes in the Deir Ezzor district and the city of Al-Bukamal, near the border with Iraq.
The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen TV channel, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported explosions on the Syrian-Iraqi border as a result of air strikes on Syrian territory.
A week ago, Syrian TV reported that the country’s air defense systems responded to an Israeli air strike over southern Damascus
Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported that explosions were heard in the skies over the capital city.
Two weeks ago, Syrian media reported that the country’s air defense systems were activated in the Damascus area and thwarted an Israeli air strike.
According to reports, one person was killed in the air strike and three soldiers were injured.
Several days earlier, Syrian media reported that the country’s air defense systems were activated in response to an “Israeli aggression” near Masyaf in northwestern Syria.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least six Iranian-aligned fighters were killed and others injured in the air strike.
Satellite footage published after that strike showed that it had destroyed four production facilities used for mixing and casting components of missile engines and warheads.
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