In the last day, there have been big events in Syria. The Iranians sent a drone from a base in Syria and flew it into Israeli territory. Israel forced it down and recovered the drone. The Israelis then struck back at the base from which the drone was launched; the Israeli Air Force hit that Iranian/Hezbollah base and inflicted major damage. On the way back to Israel, the Israeli planes faced major anti-aircraft and missile fire. The pilots of one Israeli jet were forced to eject and the plane crashed in a field in northern Israel. There's no confirmation whether the plane was hit by an anti-aircraft missile or suffered a malfunction. It seems likely that it was a malfunction since a plane hit by a missile would normally explode or at least be unable to fly further. In any event, Israel launched attacks on numerous sites in Syria in response to the anti-aircraft fire. The sites were destroyed and all planes returned safely to Israel despite the Syrians and Iranians again launching many salvos of anti-aircraft missiles.
This is a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah/Syria for a number of reasons.
First, these are the biggest air raids the Israelis have launched in Syria many years. The main targets were Iranian bases. Iran suffered serious casualties, although for propaganda purposes the Iranians can't admit that fact. If Iran continues to send drones into Israel, there will be more such strong responses. It could be the start of continuing escalation leading to war.
Second, if the Syrians actually shot down an Israeli jet, it would be the first Israeli jet lost in combat since 1982 during the Lebanon war. The Syrians have already announced that this loss proves that Israel no longer has air superiority in the region. That's just silly, but it provides the Assad regime with an excuse for continuing firing back at the Israeli jets. That too means more fighting is likely.
Third, if the Iranians back down now, they will look weak in the eyes of their friends and enemies alike in the region. The Iranian regime has shown repeatedly that it is willing to accept major casualties to reach its goals. Iran could easily continue to push towards war with Israel on the Syrian front, especially since most of those who will die will be Syrian or Lebanese (Hezbollah) rather than Iranians.
The demise of ISIS as a regional force has freed up the Iranian, Hezbollah and Assad forces for other adventures in the region. Israel has said that it will not tolerate Iranian forces on its border. Hopefully, there will not be a major clash on the ground, but it is looking more and more like one is coming. We must remember that both the USA and Russia also have forces in Syria which could be drawn into fighting. Just two days ago, Iranian led forces moved in to attack American allies in a location where US forces are located. The Americans called in the Air Force and the Iranian advance was wiped out from the skies. It would be terrible if the USA were drawn into yet another war in the Middle East.
This is a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah/Syria for a number of reasons.
First, these are the biggest air raids the Israelis have launched in Syria many years. The main targets were Iranian bases. Iran suffered serious casualties, although for propaganda purposes the Iranians can't admit that fact. If Iran continues to send drones into Israel, there will be more such strong responses. It could be the start of continuing escalation leading to war.
Second, if the Syrians actually shot down an Israeli jet, it would be the first Israeli jet lost in combat since 1982 during the Lebanon war. The Syrians have already announced that this loss proves that Israel no longer has air superiority in the region. That's just silly, but it provides the Assad regime with an excuse for continuing firing back at the Israeli jets. That too means more fighting is likely.
Third, if the Iranians back down now, they will look weak in the eyes of their friends and enemies alike in the region. The Iranian regime has shown repeatedly that it is willing to accept major casualties to reach its goals. Iran could easily continue to push towards war with Israel on the Syrian front, especially since most of those who will die will be Syrian or Lebanese (Hezbollah) rather than Iranians.
The demise of ISIS as a regional force has freed up the Iranian, Hezbollah and Assad forces for other adventures in the region. Israel has said that it will not tolerate Iranian forces on its border. Hopefully, there will not be a major clash on the ground, but it is looking more and more like one is coming. We must remember that both the USA and Russia also have forces in Syria which could be drawn into fighting. Just two days ago, Iranian led forces moved in to attack American allies in a location where US forces are located. The Americans called in the Air Force and the Iranian advance was wiped out from the skies. It would be terrible if the USA were drawn into yet another war in the Middle East.
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