Netanyahu has decided to wag the dog!
BREAKING: Israeli fighter jets strike Syria army position south of Damascus, Assad ally says https://t.co/E8kQM5ne56
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) May 8, 2018
Its going great so far, thanks for asking. #Breaking: Explosions Heard Near Damascus as Israeli Military Believes Iran is Planning Imminent Attack https://t.co/U1IXPc3lCA
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 8, 2018
From Haaretz:
Explosions were reported south of Damascus on Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army announced it believes Iran is planning to carry out an imminent strike from Syria. Reports in Syria said Israeli jets entered the country’s airspace.
The reports come on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump’s dramatic withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
Also Tuesday, the Israeli ordered communities in the northern Golan Heights, near the Israel-Syria border, to open shelters to the public after identifying “unusual movements” of Iranian forces in Syria, the military said in a statement.
The Israeli army believes Iran is making efforts to carry out an imminent retaliation against Israel. Intelligence officers and other specialized forces have been called up, though reserve combat units have not been drafted.
CNN reported that Pentagon officials are concerned about signs that Iran might be preparing a military strike against Israel from Syria.
Israeli military bases were preparing for a possible Iranian attack.
Israel believes Iran is determined to retaliate for the April 9 airstrike on Syria’s T4 airbase, which killed seven Iranian military advisers and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Iran blames Israel for this attack.
The military said any Iranian strike against Israel will be met with a severe response, even as the working assumption is that Iran is has limited capabilities to engage in conflict with Israel.
The State Department has issued a travel alert for US personnel.
#GolanHeights Security Alert: Due to the recent tensions in the region, U.S. gov't employees are required to obtain advance approval if they wish to travel to the Golan Heights until further notice. Consider carefully travel to the Golan Heights until the situation stabilizes. pic.twitter.com/GRrT3s1hdW
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) May 8, 2018
From the reporting, Israel appears to be mobilizing for war.
#breaking: Israel opens air raid shelters on the Golan Heights
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 8, 2018
#Breaking: Israel drafts reserve soldiers from military intelligence, home front & air defence commands. pic.twitter.com/NVHftp1Htx
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 8, 2018
#Breaking: Israel’s education ministry cancels all school trips scheduled to go to the Golan Heights tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/JKsq4kQfXz
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 8, 2018
Now that the President and Prime Minister Netanyahu have decided to destabilize the limited stability left within the entire region in the name of actually stabilizing it, this is going to move fast. More specifically, the Israelis are going to try to move fast and break things in the hope that they can draw the Iranians into a direct response or via its proxy Hezbullah. My professional impression of Netanyahu is that he is not a good strategist, though he is a decent tactician. However, he has little self control. The Iranians have, perhaps, the best strategist from within the region commanding their forces in Syria.
Depending on what the responses are to the Israeli’s opening move, this could either pass quickly or quickly spiral out of hand. I have no way to handicap it with the information we have, though my professional estimation is that the Iranians have enough restraint to let cooler heads prevail. Expect the reporting on this to move and change rapidly.
Stay frosty!
Open thread.
Breaking: Israel Attacks Iran In Syria As It Prepares For WarPost + Comments (205)