11 Feb 2021 | 09:55 AM UTC
Syria: Suspected Israeli airstrikes target sites near Al Bukamal Jan. 11
Suspected Israeli airstrikes target Iran-backed military sites in Al Bukamal, Deir Ez-Zur Governorate, Syria, Feb. 11.
Event
Suspected Israeli airstrikes targeted a military convoy belonging to Iranian-backed militias near the town of Al Bukamal in Deir Ez-Zur Governorate Feb. 11. 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.
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.
