Syrian Media Reports on 'Israeli Attack on Airbase' Near Damascus

Syrian media accused Israel of launching missile attacks against targets near Damascus, the capital, just hours after the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. The Israeli army claimed to have observed 'suspicious movements of Iranian forces and Hezbollah militants near Israel's northern border' immediately after the U.S. exit announcement. The Israeli army also ordered officials in the Golan Heights to open shelters for residents. Moments after this decision was announced, the Syrian official news agency SANA reported heavy explosions near Damascus due to airstrikes in al-Kisweh, located 14 kilometers southwest of Damascus, which is one of the main bases of Iranian forces in Syria. A commander in the regional coalition supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime told Reuters that the Israeli air force targeted a military base in al-Kisweh, but there were no casualties. An Israeli army spokesperson declined to comment on these reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated twice this week that confronting Iran now is preferable and that preemptive measures should be taken. According to foreign news agencies, Israel has intensified airstrikes in Syria since February 10 of last year, aiming to hit Iranian military positions in the country. Israel has confirmed these attacks. Russia also attributed the April 9 attack on the T-4 base to Israel, and the U.S. linked the May 29 attacks on Hama and Aleppo bases to Israel. In a press conference on Tuesday night, Netanyahu welcomed Donald Trump's decision and referred to the northern situation, stating that Iran has been transferring 'deadly weapons' to its forces in Syria to target Israel, clearly stating that its goal is to use Syria as a frontline to target Israel. Netanyahu asserted that Israel is 'determined to prevent Iran and will respond vigorously to any harm to its territory; the army is ready and strong; anyone who tests us will feel our might.' Naftali Bennett, Israel's senior government minister, also sent a message to Hassan Nasrallah and Iran on Tuesday night, stating that any aggression would lead to the destruction of Lebanon. Yuval Steinitz, Israel's energy minister, told the army radio on Monday that any aggression from Iran and its allies from Syria towards Israel would result in 'the destruction of Bashar al-Assad and his regime.' Meanwhile, Israel Katz, Israel's information minister, stated on army radio on Tuesday that Steinitz expressed his own opinion and that the plan to 'destroy Assad' has not been discussed in the Israeli cabinet. Iran has consistently emphasized that Israel, with its military nuclear capability, has no right to comment on Iran's nuclear program; Tehran also considers its military presence in Syria to be 'legitimate and legal.' Nevertheless, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, in a visit to Dezful on Tuesday, made an indirect but clear response to the killing of Iranian military personnel in recent attacks attributed to Israel, stating that Iran would respond to these 'aggressions.' However, the attack on Tuesday night on the base attributed to Iranian forces in the outskirts of Damascus occurred despite Baqeri's statements. In this context, the Israeli Prime Minister welcomed the U.S. decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA and reinstated sanctions on Iran. The head of the Iranian armed forces stated: 'We will respond to recent aggressions in due time.' A warning from an Israeli minister: 'Iran's aggression from Syria will mark the end of Assad.'