Enlarge image
Syrian anti-aircraft missile flies in the sky over Damaksus (archive)
Photo: Ammar Safarjalani/dpa
Shadow war at the limit: Israeli forces have apparently attacked targets near the Syrian capital Damascus. The Israeli military fired on the Damascus area from the Golan Heights, the Syrian state news agency (Sana) reported on Saturday, citing a military source. Violent explosions were heard west of the Syrian capital.
The Syrian air defense shot down some of the rockets. Sana further reported that there was only material damage. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a residential building west of the Syrian capital was hit. Three people were killed. The Observatory obtains its information from a network of various sources in Syria. The organization's information is often difficult to verify independently.
On Friday evening, the Shiite Hezbollah militia claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on an Israeli barracks in the Golan Heights. Israel's air force repeatedly bombs targets in neighboring Syria. Israel wants to prevent Iran and its allied militias, such as the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, from expanding their military influence in the country. Iran is one of Syria's most important allies. Israeli attacks have increased since the Gaza war began in early October.
One person who is particularly concerned about the increasing escalation is King Abdullah II of Jordan. His fragile monarchy, protected by the West, borders Syria and was recently drawn into the major conflict when US soldiers were killed in an attack by pro-Iranian militias on a military site in his territory.
This week it was announced that US President Joe Biden will receive the Jordanian king and his wife, Queen Rania, in Washington on February 12th. The occasion is the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the USA and Jordan, said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday.
"The two leaders will discuss how the United States and Jordan can further deepen our strong bilateral relationship," the statement said. The situation in Gaza and efforts to bring a lasting end to the crisis will also be an issue. This includes humanitarian support from the United States for the people of the Gaza Strip as well as “a vision for a lasting peace that includes a two-state solution with guaranteed security for Israel.”
dop/dpa