Syria: Suspected Israeli airstrikes target sites near Al Bukamal Jan. 13

Event

Local media reported that suspected Israeli airstrikes targeted several military sites belonging to Iranian-backed militias near the town of Al Bukamal in Deir Ez-Zur Governorate early Jan. 13. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident; however, it has regularly targeted military sites belonging to Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed fighters throughout Syria. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages. Reports indicate suspected Israeli airstrikes also occurred near Al Bukamal the previous day.

Military forces in northern Israel and Syria will almost certainly maintain a heightened readiness level in the coming days. Further air and retaliatory strikes and exchanges of cross-border fire are possible.

Al Bukamal is around 240 km (149 miles) southeast of Ar-Raqqah.

Context

Tensions between Syria and Israel remain extremely high. Israel has repeatedly expressed concerns over the presence of Iranian proxies in southwest Syria and aims to prevent a build-up of Iranian-backed forces in the region. Since 2017, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has launched hundreds of preemptive strikes in Syria, targeting suspected Hizballah and Iranian-led fighters, weapons caches, and supply convoys, primarily in the southwestern governorates.