Explosions were heard across Damascus on Sunday morning following a suspected Israeli air strike.
Syrian opposition media and Crisis24, a risk consultancy, said the explosions were likely the strike and anti-aircraft missile fire. Syrian opposition said the air strikes were targeting a transfer of Iranian weapons at Al Dimas, west of Damascus. Syrian and Iranian military forces are said to be co-located in the area.
Israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes on Syria since 2013, aiming to halt weapons transfers by Iran, to Iran-backed militias in the country and in some cases, beyond to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The weapons transfers have involved upgrades to unguided rockets, drones, both long and short-range, and even ballistic missiles smuggled across Iraq and into Syria.
While Israel rarely comments on strikes, Israeli defence analysts say Tehran aims to establish another front for attacking Israel over the occupied Golan Heights, in addition to bolstering Hezbollah’s formidable arsenal of missiles in Lebanon.
Israel’s response has at times been particularly aggressive, striking civilian airports in Aleppo and Damascus, which it says have become staging areas for Iranian groups.
In April, Israel said six rockets had been fired at Israeli positions in the Golan Heights, causing no casualties.
On the contested strategic high ground, Israel has at times been able to fire back into Syria using artillery and surface-to-surface missile systems. Israel relies on a fleet of F-35 stealth fighter jets, almost invisible on enemy radar systems, to stop weapons transfers deep within Syria.
The Israeli air force has lost one jet during the more than decade-long campaign, when an F-16 was shot down returning from an air strike mission, crashing in northern Israel in February 2018.
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
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