Illustrative image. Source: the Israeli Air Force.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it targeted a radar base of the Syrian military in the southern governorate of al-Suwayda in leaflets which were later dropped over the nearby governorate of al-Quneitra.
At least three strikes hit the radar base, which is located on the al-Qalib hill in the southeastern countryside of al-Suwayda, early on December 11. The Syrian Arab News Agency didn’t report the strikes. Usually, the state-run agency acknowledges Israeli attack within a few hours.
In the leaflets, the IDF said that the strikes were carried out in response to Hezbollah presence at the al-Qalib hill base, warning Syrian military personnel from cooperating with the Lebanese armed group.
“To the commanders and personnel of the Syrian military
Time after time, you hold the responsibility for the losses caused by your choices!
Hezbollah continuous presence in the Syrian al-Qalib hill base, and your cooperation with it, will not pass well for you!
The presence of Hezbollah in the region have brought you humiliation and ignominy, and you are paying for it,” one of the leaflet reads.
The leaflets, which were reportedly dropped from drones, bore the eagle insignia of the IDF’s 210th “Bashan” Division. The Bashan is a territorial division in the IDF Northern Command responsible for the front with Syria.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
The strikes on the al-Qalib hill base was the first Israeli attack to target Syria this December. It is worth noting that the IDF attacked several radars, air defense and electronic warfare bases throughout the countryside of al-Suwayda over the last few years.
While Israel is trying to present the strikes as a response to Hezbollah presence at the base, the real target of the attack was likely to weaken the Syrian air defense and early warning network in the southern and coeternal regions.
