Syria: Suspected Israeli strikes target military site in Aleppo province July 15 /update 1

Event

Suspected Israeli airstrikes pounded a Syrian government military site near Al-Nayrab military airbase (Aleppo province), close to the city of Aleppo, on the evening of Sunday, July 15 (local time), killing at least nine pro-government fighters. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the airstrikes targeted a logistics center used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Additional Israeli airstrikes on pro-Syrian-regime forces and installations are possible in the near-term.

Context

Syrian state media has claimed that Israeli forces have carried out several airstrikes in Syria in recent months. Most of the airstrikes have reportedly targeted Iran-linked military personnel and infrastructure, as Iranian forces attempt to wield greater influence in the country amid the ongoing civil war and as the Islamic State (IS) group continues to lose control over Syrian territory.

Syria remains enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including IS) with competing goals.

Advice

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