Israel's Bombing Of Syrian Airports: What's The Real Reason?

Israel has been known to launch attacks on Syria, including the country's main airports, with sources claiming that these strikes are aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines. In October 2023, Israel launched simultaneous missile strikes on Syria's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging runways and rendering them non-operational. Syrian state media reported that the attacks were a ''desperate'' attempt by Israel to divert attention from the Gaza conflict with Hamas. This incident marked the first strike on Syria since Hamas's large-scale attack on Israel, which resulted in Israel vowing to eradicate Hamas.

Israel's disruption of Iranian supply lines

Israel has long been concerned about the growing influence of Iran and its proxies in Syria. The Israeli military has carried out numerous missile and air strikes, officially called Operation Chess, targeting Iranian facilities and supply lines in Syria. These strikes have also targeted Iranian proxies, most notably the militant group Hezbollah, which has a powerful presence in both Syria and Lebanon.

Hezbollah has been receiving weapons shipments from Iran, which are transported through Iraq and Syria into Lebanon. These shipments are believed to be coordinated by Hezbollah's Unit 4400, which establishes smuggling routes through Syria. Israel has sought to disrupt these supply lines by carrying out airstrikes on airports and other targets in Syria.

In October 2023, Israel launched simultaneous missile attacks on Syria's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging runways and putting both airports out of service. These strikes were intended to disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria, where Tehran's influence has been growing since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Iran has been a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing support and weapons to his regime.

The Israeli military often does not comment on its operations in Syria, but its actions speak to a larger strategy of disrupting Iranian supply lines and limiting the influence of Iran and its proxies in the region. Israel has made clear that it opposes the presence of Iranian forces in Syria and has taken military action to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah.

In addition to its military efforts, Israel has also provided humanitarian aid to victims of the Syrian civil war through Operation Good Neighbor, which was launched in 2016. This operation provided medical care, water, electricity, education, and food to Syrians near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria.

Syrian state media response

Syrian state media responded to the Israeli bombing of Syrian airports, stating that the attacks were a “desperate” attempt by Israel to divert attention from the Gaza conflict. State media reported that the Israeli strikes hit the international airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging runways and putting both airports out of service. The SANA state news agency quoted an unnamed military official who stated that no one was hurt in the attacks. Syrian air defences were activated in response to the attacks, and flights were diverted to the airport in Latakia.

Syrian state media also noted that the Israeli strikes targeted the two main airports in Syria, which handle civil aviation and host military bases. These airports are reportedly transit points for Iranian arms sent to Hezbollah, a powerful militant group in Syria and Lebanon. The state media report added that the attacks caused material damage and led to the death of a civilian worker at Damascus airport, wounding another.

The Syrian defence ministry stated that the "Israeli enemy carried out an air attack from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia, targeting Aleppo International Airport, which led to material damage to the airport and it being out of service." The ministry's statement highlighted the damage inflicted on the airports and the disruption caused to air travel in the region.

The Syrian state media response emphasized the impact of the Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure and the subsequent disruption to transportation and travel in the country. They also highlighted the timing of the attacks, suggesting a connection to the Gaza conflict and Iran's influence in the region. Syrian state media framed the attacks as a desperate diversion by Israel and emphasized the human toll, with a focus on the death and injury of civilian workers.

Overall, the Syrian state media response to the Israeli bombing of Syrian airports focused on the damage inflicted, the activation of Syrian air defences, and the perceived motivations and implications of the attacks in the context of regional conflicts and power dynamics.

Israeli military's lack of comment

The Israeli military has a history of not commenting on its operations and did not release any immediate statements following the strikes on Syrian airports. The military did not respond to a request for comment following the October 2023 strikes on Aleppo airport, which came just days after simultaneous missile attacks on airports in Damascus and Aleppo. This aligns with the Israeli military's general lack of acknowledgment or discussion of its operations in Syria.

While the Israeli military does not typically comment on its operations, there have been some instances where officials have provided insights into the motivations behind their actions. For example, in 2022, the chairman of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, Ram Ben-Barak, suggested that the strikes on Aleppo airport were a signal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Ben-Barak indicated that the attacks aimed to disrupt the use of airports by certain planes and convey a message about the consequences of facilitating terrorism.

The Israeli military's lack of comment on the strikes on Syrian airports may be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Israel has a history of conducting attacks on targets in Syria with little to no official acknowledgment. This pattern suggests a strategic decision to maintain operational secrecy and avoid public disclosure of their military activities in the region.

Additionally, the strikes on Syrian airports are believed to be part of operations aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines to Syria. Israel has a longstanding concern about Iran's influence in the region and its potential use of Syrian airports for military purposes. By refraining from commenting, Israel avoids direct confirmation of its strategic intentions, which may have diplomatic repercussions or escalate tensions with Iran and its allies.

Moreover, the timing of the strikes, particularly the October 2023 attacks, coincided with heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas. With Hamas carrying out its largest attack on Israel in decades just days before the airport strikes, Israel's lack of comment may have been an attempt to avoid further escalation or to manage the complex dynamics of multiple conflicts occurring simultaneously.

Iranian influence in Syria

Israel has launched several attacks on Syrian airports, including simultaneous strikes on the country's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo in October 2023. These attacks have been interpreted as an attempt to disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria, as Tehran's influence in the country has been growing since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Iran has been a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military support and assistance to help maintain his hold on power.

As military operations in Syria decreased, Iran shifted its focus to infiltrating Syrian society and strengthening its relations with Syrian businessmen. They have also increasingly targeted educational and cultural initiatives, such as constructing educational facilities and spreading Iranian culture through Iranian cultural centres. Iran has also engaged in charitable activities, particularly focusing on restoring schools and health centres, and providing humanitarian aid during the coronavirus pandemic, which has helped them gain support and loyalty from the local population.

Additionally, Iran has played a crucial role in coordinating and supporting various ground forces in Syria, including Iraqi and Afghan militias, Hezbollah, and the Local Defense Forces. They have provided military supplies, training, and assistance to these groups, as well as to the Syrian military. Iran's involvement in Syria has been a significant concern for Israel, which has led to tensions and military strikes, such as the attacks on Syrian airports, aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines and limiting Tehran's influence in the region.

International reactions to the strikes

However, Saudi Arabia claimed that Israel was "genocidal" and hoped that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would be brought before the ICC.

The United States supported Israel's right to defend itself, with President Biden offering "all appropriate means of support."

Russia expressed concern over the escalation of tensions and violence, urging relevant parties to "exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation."

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was shocked by the attacks and affirmed that "Israel has a right to defend herself."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that "Canada strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks against Israel" and called the violence "completely unacceptable."

France's President Macron strongly condemned the attack and expressed his "full solidarity with the victims, their families, and loved ones."

Germany's Chancellor Scholz said he was deeply shocked by the "terrifying news" and affirmed that Germany condemned the attacks and would stand by Israel.

Turkey's President Erdogan called on Israelis and Palestinians to act with restraint and refrain from hostile acts that could exacerbate the situation.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "the U.S. is responsible for the recent crimes" and that "if the crimes of the Zionist regime continue, no one can stop the Muslims and the resistance forces."

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