Syria sees recent Israeli attack on its territory as a "new phase" of war. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared that Israel and its supporters had "jumped into confrontation". This is an indication of a "new war phase".

Israel – in declaration called "Zionist entity" – has adopted a "warlike stance" which will help to furr stimulate tensions in region. This would "threaten peace and international security."

The background: Israel accused Iran of having fired about 20 rockets from Syria in night to Thursday in direction of Israeli forces in Golan Heights. Israel's air force attacked about 50 Iranian targets in Syria. Victims, it was said later, have not given it, one still investigate extent of damage.

Russia called on Israel and Iran to hold back and deescalate. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov described proceedings as "very disturbing". Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Israeli air raids on Iranian military facilities in Syria as a dangerous escalation of situation in Middle East and a "very alarming development". He called on both Israel and Iran to refrain from mutual provocation.

No interest in escalation

Iran is fighting in Syrian civil war with Russia and Shiite militia Hezbollah alongside Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. Israel is threatened by Iran's military presence in neighboring country of Syria and has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria in past. Iran has dortausgebaut its presence in recent months, according to Israeli figures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of having crossed a "red line" with attack and announced opposition. "We will not allow Iran to establish itself militarily in Syria." His defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said his country was not interested in an escalation, "but we need to be prepared for every scenario."

Reaction to alleged Iranian attacks

The Syrian Human Rights Monitoring Centre also observed rocket attacks on Golan Heights. From whom attacks were made, organization of Syrian regime opponents could not say. At least 23 fighters were killed in Israeli counterattacks in Syria, observatory described.

Israel was responsible for bombardment of Al-Quds Brigades, an elite unit of Iranian Revolutionary Guards. "Everyone wants to limit conflict exactly to this cart," Defense Minister Lieberman said. When asked where Israel knows that brigades are behind attack, military spokesman Conricus replied, "We just know."

Call to Dialog

US President Donald Trump supports Israel's counter-strike. The attack of Iran's values is called "additional proof that Iranian regime is not to be trusted," said government spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson called on Iran and Israel to "avoid any escalation". At same time, he condemned "sharply Iranian attacks." Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed concern. "The escalations of past hours show us that re is truly war and peace," she said in her speech about awarding of Aachen Charlemagne Prize to French President Emmanuel Macron. In a statement, Merkel and Macron called for "Prudence and deescalation".

During a telephone call with Iranian President Hassan Ruhani, Merkel condemned "Iranian attacks on Israeli military positions on Golan Heights". The Chancellor asked Tehran to "contribute to deescalation in region," said her spokesman. A spokeswoman from Foreign Office added that alleged Iranian missile attacks were a "serious provocation, which we condemn in strongest terms". Israel has "a right to self-defense". It is "crucial" that re is now no "furr escalation". During visit of his German colleague Heiko Maas (SPD) in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for dialogue between Israel and Iran. Russia called on Israel not to do anything that could be "seen as provocation."

Date Of Update: 11 May 2018, 12:02