Syria Says Israel Strikes Damascus, Aleppo Airports

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The Facts

  • According to Syria's state news agency SANA, Israeli airstrikes targeted airports in the nation's capital, Damascus, and the northern city of Aleppo on Thursday, damaging the runways and putting them both out of service.

  • Syrian state media reported that simultaneous "bursts of missiles" hit the airports at the same time but that no one was injured. While Israel says it doesn't comment on such reports, the IDF has reportedly bombed these airports for years with the goal of disrupting Iranian supply lines to Syria.


The Spin

Pro-Israel narrative

Israel launching bombs into Syria shouldn't be a surprise, as this is merely a continuation of a war that has been ongoing since 1948. Israel doesn't target civilians but rather military infrastructure — including chemical weapons facilities — to stop Iran from using Syrian land as a proxy to recruit young men into their forces. Israel has a right to defend itself.

Anti-Israel narrative

It's true that no one should be surprised by Israel bombing Syria In the name of "stopping Iran," as Israel has neutralized these airports many times, including once in May, in which three people were killed. What should be a surprise is that during these heightened times, Israel would risk provoking an escalation in the region.


Metaculus Prediction


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