Syria: Israel launches cross-border strikes into Syria June 24

Event

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials confirmed that its forces launched airstrikes against the forces of President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday, June 24. According to the IDF, the strikes were ordered after over ten projectiles were fired from Syria into the Golan Heights. The IDF claims that two regime tanks were destroyed in the attack and that the origin of the projectiles was also hit.

Context

Israeli officials said that the cross-border fire did not cause any damage in the Golan Heights. Such cross-border incidents have increased since the beginning of the civil war in Syria in 2011. The IDF conducted similar airstrikes against pro-regime forces on April 23 after mortar rounds landed in the Golan Heights.

The Golan Heights is a contested area, claimed by Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. Israel has occupied a large part (nearly 70 percent) of the region since the 1967 Six-Day War.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some countries banning all travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to the country.