Israel Escalating Aggression in Syria

by Stephen Lendman

On Sunday, Lebanon's al-Manar TV said an Israeli drone struck a car in Quneitra province near Golan in southwest Syria, killing two members of the National Defense Forces, allied with Syria's military.

An IDF spokesperson declined to comment on the incident. Syrian media didn't report it. Eyewitnesses said Israeli planes breached Syrian airspace in areas bordering both countries.

In January, an Israeli helicopter attack killed an Iranian general and several Hezbollah fighters in Quneitra province, including the son of the group's late military commander, Jihad Mughniyeh.

Sunday social media reports said senior Hezbollah officer Yasser Assayed was one of the individuals killed when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked by an Israeli drone.

Separately on Sunday, IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said Israeli forces are monitoring "changes in the Lebanon and Syrian sectors. In Lebanon, Hezbollah continues its efforts to rearm with lethal and more precise weaponry whose purpose is to hit the Israeli home front…"

"The recent declarations from Beirut make it clear that in a future war, the targets will be clear: Lebanon and the organizations operating under its authority and its approval. We are protecting our security interests and acting to prevent weapons transfers to Hezbollah and will make every effort to prevent it in the future as well."

Fact: Hezbollah poses no threat to Israel or any other country.

Fact: It requires military prepredness to be able to respond effectively to an Israeli attack. Earlier ones occurred in 1967, 1978, 1982, 1993, 1996 and 2006 - besides numerous belligerent incidents.

Israel still illegally occupied Sheba Farms, 14-square miles of water-rich land near Syria's Golan, seized in 1967 along with Lebanon's Ghajar village.

For half a century, Israel repeatedly breached Lebanese airspace, launching attacks on its territory and neighboring Syria.

US officials wrongfully call Iran, Syria and Hezbollah the root cause of regional terrorism. America and Israel hold that distinction.

Their provocative actions seem bent on escalating Middle East conflicts. Planned regime change in Syria, if successful, would isolate Iran, leaving it vulnerable to US/Israeli attack.

Both countries seek unchallenged regional dominance, weakening Russia and China if achieved.

Ongoing US-instigated conflicts look likely to continue. Israel attacking Syrian territory twice since Friday is cause for concern. 

Are more provocations planned? Trump intends deploying thousands more US combat troops to the region, larger numbers likely earmarked for Syria. Defense Secretary Mattis and Pentagon commanders want a permanent US presence in Iraq.

Instead of cooperating with Russia in combating terrorism, confrontation seems more likely.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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