Israel struck multiple targets in Syria and Iraq on Saturday as part of a broader response against Iran.
In Syria, Syrian media confirmed that Israel attacked military targets in the center and south of the country.
There were initial reports of an explosion outside Damascus, which the Syrian army said was the result of an interception by Syrian air defenses.
“At around 2 a.m., (Israel) carried out airstrikes against several military positions in southern and central Syria. Air defense forces countered the missiles and shot down some of them. It’s in progress.” ”
The attack was reportedly an attempt to “blind” Iran’s early warning radar. Iraqis gather for the funeral procession of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a militia commander killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport, in Basra, Iraq, on January 7. 2020 (Credit: ESSAM AL-SUDANI/Reuters)
explosion in iraq
An explosion was reported in Basra in southern Iraq, but shortly afterwards Iraqi authorities denied this and said the explosion had actually occurred across the border in Iran.
Basra is the stronghold of Iraq’s Shiite sect, and was the site of several Shiite rebellions during the Saddam Hussein era.
Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced that all air traffic would be suspended until further notice following reports of airstrikes.
