December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes

Summary

The December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes were a series of aerial attacks made on targets in Syria on 7 December 2014. The targets were a military area in Al-Dimas and the Damascus International Airport area.[1]

December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes
Part of Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war and the Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war
Rif Dimashq Governorate in Syria (red)
Operational scopeStrategic
Planned byAllegedly Israel[1]
ObjectiveThe destruction of specific weapon depots around Damascus[2]
Date7 December 2014[1]
Executed byAlleged Israeli Air Force involvement
OutcomeUnknown
CasualtiesThree Hezbollah members killed (Syrian opposition claim)[3]

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack near the Damascus International Airport targeted a depot for newly arrived weapons at a military facility that is part of the airport. The attack at Al-Dimas targeted weapons depots in hangars around a small air base.[2] Ten explosions were heard at Al-Dimas and the Syrian Army stated that some installations were damaged.[4] According to the Syrian Opposition, three Hezbollah members were killed by the strikes in Al-Dimas.[3] Syria claimed that an unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down.[citation needed]

During the attack, Syrian air defenses fired four surface-to-air missiles, hitting at least one of the Israeli Popeye missiles, the remnants of which fell into rebel-held territory in Al-Harra.[5][6][better source needed]

Reactions edit

  •   Syria - On 7 December, the Syrian Army condemned the attack and accused Israel of supporting "terrorists" in Syria.[1]
  •   Israel - In a response to the accusations, the Israeli military said it does not comment on "foreign reports."[2]
  •   Russia - Russia demanded explanation from Israel about the airstrikes. Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich also said that "Moscow is deeply worried by this dangerous development, the circumstances of which demand an explanation".[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Syria Reports New Strikes From Israel Near Capital". New York Times. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Syria Reports New Strikes From Israel Near Capital". Yahoo news. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b "SOHR was informed that." 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Syria Reports New Strikes From Israel Near Capital". BBC. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  5. ^ Boring, War Is (10 December 2014). "Four Israeli F-15s Dodged Syrian Missile Fire to Attack Urgent Targets".
  6. ^ "Elijah J. Magnier". 7 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Syria Reports New Strikes From Israel Near Capital". Haaretz. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.