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Little Let-Up In Israel's Air Campaign Against Iran In Syria
Paul Iddon Israeli airstrikes on Syria are still a regular occurrence over a decade after Israel initiated its preemptive air campaign against Iran-related targets in its war-torn northern neighbor. The strikes were a reminder that Israel's air campaign over Syria, primarily aimed at Iranian entrenchment there, is far from finished. Recent reports indicate that Iranian efforts to strengthen its foothold in the Arab country and bolster the capabilities of the Hizbullah group in neighboring Lebanon are still very much active. Iranian success in either country could undercut Israel's concerted decade-long effort to prevent the implementation of these overlapping strategic projects. A June 30 report in the Israeli newspaper Maariv cited unnamed Israeli military sources claiming Hizbullah has doubled its air defense arsenal and could attempt to deter or actively interfere with Israeli Air Force operations over Lebanon. "Hozbullah's decision to restrict the Israeli Air Force with available Russian air defenses, SA-8 and SA-22, is a fundamental change in Hizbullah's strategic concept, within which attempts are being made to restrict the Israeli Air Force's freedom to operate. (Forbes)