Netanyahu threatens Syria with air strike over romance with Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Syrian President Bashar Assad with strikes on Syria if Damascus allows Iran to set up its military bases in the Arab country, media reported Monday. According to The World Street Journal, Netanyahu recently sent a letter to the Syrian leader, however it arrived before Saturday, when some media […]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Syrian President Bashar Assad with strikes on Syria if Damascus allows Iran to set up its military bases in the Arab country, media reported Monday.

According to The World Street Journal, Netanyahu recently sent a letter to the Syrian leader, however it arrived before Saturday, when some media reported that an Iranian-controlled military site near Damascus underwent an attack, allegedly carried out by Israel.

The Israeli leadership, including Netanyahu, as well as authorities in Damascus, did not comment on the information regarding the reported attack.

Netanyhau’s warning could mean that Israel is ready to drop its neutral stance on the long-standing war in Syria, according to the publication.

Israeli-Syrian relations are strained, particularly over the disputed region of the Golan Heights, which has been at the center of the conflict between the two Middle Eastern states.

Israel occupied the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War with Syria and annexed the territory in 1981.

The international community has not recognised Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.

Israel regards Syria’s closest ally Iran as its number one threat over its curtailed, but still existing nuclear programme, hostile rhetoric and support offered to anti-Israel forces throughout the Middle East.

Israeli officials have repeatedly said that Tel Aviv would not allow Iran to turn Syria into its military foothold.