War breaking out in the Middle East: Israel vs Syria, May 2018 (perhaps entangling Iran, Russia and the US)

[ThePythonicCow]

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Following some other provocations and justifications of recent weeks, Israel has started serious bombing and shelling of Syria, including (or so it's reported) hitting Iranian and Russian forces and installations on the ground in Syria.

In recent weeks, Israel has bombed a couple of Iranian facilities in northern Syria, US President Trump has canceled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) "nuclear peace agreement" with Iran, and issued a blistering speech attacking Iran, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu has made a widely disseminated presentation, in English, accusing Iran of continuing to develop nuclear bombs and missile delivery systems that threaten Israel's very existence.

Within the last day, Bibi met with Russian Premier Vladimir Putin in Moscow, but the meeting appeared to be tense, from some report I saw earlier today.

The best reporting on these rapidly unfolding events seems to be by Hal Turner. I have not followed Hal Turner much in recent years, so I don't know what level of credibility to place in his reporting, but he sure seems to have lots of rapid firing detail on the escalating hostilities between Israel and Syria.

Hal Turner reports that the US Military has raised its Defense Condition (DEFCON) from Level 5 to 4, except in the European theater, where it is raised a notch further, to 3.

Hal Turner also reports that he's been told by one of his contacts that Israel intends to take out Syria's air defenses (which include Russian equipment and personnel) tonight, which would be more or less right now, as I write this.

Here is a screen shot of Hal Turner's page for this reporting, as of now, just to capture that for the record: http://thepythoniccow.us/Screenshot-...Hal_Turner.png, though you'll have to magnify it quite a bit to make it readable, as it is quite long.

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If this is not the start of another major Middle East war, then I'll be surprised.

It would seem to be Israel and the US on one side, and Syria, Iran and Russia on the other side, with the US and Russia striving, for now at least, to keep the war limited the region.

[Rawhide68]

Never ever forget the predictions from Wesley Clark, the only land standing today is Iran.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9RC1Mepk_Sw

[Andre]

I've just been reading Hal's updates and it certainly looks like we are on the verge of a major outbreak but so far (at the time of this posting), it is mainly the Syrians vs. Israelis. The Russians are not yet involved, at least from Hal's constant updates so far and the U.S. is using Israel as it's proxy while Israel sees it as they have to do what the U.S. failed to do.

[ThePythonicCow]

According to this report on RT from Sept 2016, leaked emails from former US Sec of State Colin Powell, Israel had 200 nukes, all targeted at Tehran:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=G2B4GlSwKhs

[ThePythonicCow]

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Of course, the US mainstream news is reporting almost none of this so far.

Here's one of the first reports I've seen, outside of Hal Turner. This is from Breitbart News, reporting that Iranian forces inside Syria are firing missiles at Israel (without little mention, except buried deep in the article, that Israel had fired earlier).

In the report IDF: Iranian Forces Fire Rockets at Israel, they write:

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IDF: Iranian Forces Fire Rockets at Israel

by Aaron Klein9 May 2018

TEL AVIV — Iranian forces operating from Syria fired about 20 rockets at Israeli army positions in the Golan Heights, the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday night.

Some of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, and there were no reports of injuries, the IDF stated.

About an hour ago, IDF defense systems identified approximately 20 rockets that the Iranian Quds forces launched at IDF forward posts on the Golan Heights

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) May 9, 2018

A number of rockets were intercepted by the IDF's Iron Dome aerial defense system. No injuries were reported. The IDF views this event with great severity and remains prepared for a wide variety of scenarios

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) May 9, 2018

A video posted on social media in Syria purports to show a volley of rockets from a launcher being fired into Israel.

#Pt. Video showing #Syria|n Regime MRLS bombing #Golan. First time ever direct retaliation for previous #Israel|i strikes. pic.twitter.com/4aK9dHrPPx

— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) May 9, 2018

The IDF is blaming the attack on the Quds Force, the unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that is responsible for operations outside Iran.

The Times of Israel reports on immediate Israeli retaliation:

Immediately following the Iranian attack at 12:10 a.m., Syrian state media reported that Israeli artillery fire targeted a military post near the city of Baath in the Quneitra border region, where Syrian regime forces were stationed.

Approximately an hour and a half later, the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar news outlet reported that Syrian army air defenses were responding to an Israeli air strike against a target southwest of Damascus.

The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson confirmed that the army had retaliated to the alleged Iranian attack, but would not comment on the specific details.

The events mark the first time the IDF has accused Iran of directly firing rockets into Israel, and could represent a more direct confrontation between Israel and Iran. Israel has been alarmed at Iran’s massive military buildup in Syria, where the Iranians are said to control numerous military bases.

The reported Iranian missile attacks follow a series of strikes in Syria attributed to Israel targeting Iran-run bases.

Only yesterday, Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported an Israeli attack targeting a military base south of Damascus about two hours after President Trump announced a decision to withdraw from the international nuclear agreement with Iran. Fox News cited sources saying the target of the strike was an Iranian base in Syria.

The reports of explosions also come after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday placed Israel’s northern communities on high alert with the IDF detecting “irregular Iranian activity” and “abnormal movements of Iranian forces in Syria.”

Just before the explosion reports, Haaretz reported the IDF believes Iran is “making efforts to carry out an imminent retaliation against Israel,” according to the newspaper’s characterization.

Threats of Iranian retaliation follow numerous airstrikes against Iranian military targets in Syria that have been attributed to Israel.

Besides yesterday’s strike, ten days ago, Syrian state television reported that “enemy” rocket attacks struck military bases in Hama province and in the Aleppo countryside, with reports of 26 or more pro-regime fighters, mostly Iranians, killed in the blasts.

On April 14, there were reports of a “violent explosion” in the southern section of Aleppo province in Syria in an area where Iranian forces were present. Hezbollah-affiliated media outlets at the time claimed the incident involved a controlled explosion.

On April 9, strikes blamed on Israel hit the Iran-run T-4 military base that was reportedly used to operate Iran’s advanced drone fleet. The strikes came after the base was brazenly used by Iran to send an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into Israeli territory in February before it was quickly shot down by the Israeli military. The IDF revealed its investigation concluded the Iranian drone sent from T-4 was carrying explosives and seemingly deployed to attack an Israeli target.

Aaron Klein is Breitbart’s Jerusalem bureau chief and senior investigative reporter. He is a New York Times bestselling author and hosts the popular weekend talk radio program, “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio.” Follow him on Twitter @AaronKleinShow. Follow him on Facebook.

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This reminds me of how to get a key player for the other team ejected from a sports game -- taunt, provoke and abuse the key player, out of the notice of the referees, until they are sufficiently angered to retaliate and get caught at it.

[ThePythonicCow]

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Here's the Times of Israel playing the same game as I just reported in my previous post above:

After alleged Iranian barrage, Israel launches massive counterattack in Syria (Times of Israel)

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After alleged Iranian barrage, Israel launches massive counterattack in Syria


IDF warns Syrian military not to interfere as it pummels Iranian targets in largest direct exchange between Jerusalem, Tehran

By Judah Ari Gross, Today, 4:38 am

Some 20 rockets were fired at Israeli military bases by Iranian forces from southern Syria just after midnight on Thursday, sparking the largest ever direct clash between Jerusalem and Tehran, with Israeli jets targeting numerous Iranian-controlled sites across Syria.

The Israeli army said the initial missile barrage was carried out by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Forces. This appeared to be the first time that Israel attributed an attack directly to Iran, which generally operates through proxies.

Some of the incoming missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, the army said. There were no reports of Israeli casualties in the attack. An IDF spokesperson said damage was caused to Israeli military bases, but that it was “limited.”

Some 20 rockets were fired at Israeli military bases by Iranian forces from southern Syria just after midnight on Thursday, sparking the largest ever direct clash between Jerusalem and Tehran, with Israeli jets targeting numerous Iranian-controlled sites across Syria.

The Israeli army said the initial missile barrage was carried out by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Forces. This appeared to be the first time that Israel attributed an attack directly to Iran, which generally operates through proxies.

Some of the incoming missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, the army said. There were no reports of Israeli casualties in the attack. An IDF spokesperson said damage was caused to Israeli military bases, but that it was “limited.”

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This Times of Israel article is quite a bit longer; not worth quoting here. See the above link if you want more.

The modus operandi seems clear: Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria until they strike back. The Israeli controlled press in Israel and the US provides little or no reporting of these Israeli strikes however. When Iran finally strikes back, that gets full coverage, along with reports on how impressive and swift was the Israeli retaliation for these unjust and threatening attacks.

[ThePythonicCow]

A somewhat more neutral report from Russia Today

Israel-Syria cross-border strikes reported in occupied Golan Heights (RT.com)

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Israel-Syria cross-border strikes reported in occupied Golan Heights

Published time: 9 May, 2018 21:30

Strikes have been reported across the border between the Israeli-occupied and the Syrian portions of the Golan Heights. Syrian media says Israeli shells hit its territory, while Israel reports it was targeted by Iranian missiles.

The shells were fired from the Israeli-controlled area towards the city of Baath in northern Quneitra, Syria’s state SANA news agency reported. There have been no reports of injuries as a result of the attack, it said.

Within minutes of the reported shelling, the Israeli military said that sirens were heard in the occupied Golan Heights, without providing any details as to what triggered the alert.

“The details are being looked into and will be given shortly,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on Twitter.

It is unclear so far which of the incidents came first.

Israeli media reported that the sirens might have been activated as the Iron Dome missile defense system was deployed to shoot down incoming projectiles. There have also been unconfirmed reports of explosions on the Israeli side.

Footage posted by The Jerusalem Post military correspondent Anna Ahronheim on Twitter shows sirens going off in the village of Majdal Shams, north of the Golan Heights.

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The article continues at the above link.

[ThePythonicCow]

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Al-Masdar News in BEIRUT, LEBANON reports that Israel fired first:

Breaking: Massive confrontation breaks out between Israeli and Syrian forces near occupied Golan Heights (Al-Masdar News)

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Breaking: Massive confrontation breaks out between Israeli and Syrian forces near occupied Golan Heights

By Leith Aboufadel - 10/05/2018 BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:30 A.M.)

At approximately 1:00 A.M. (Damascus Time), the Israeli military fired several artillery shells towards the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) positions in the Al-Quneitra Governorate city of Al-Ba’ath.

The Syrian Army responded by firing missiles towards an IDF base in the occupied Golan Heights – no confirmation on whether or not anything hit its target.

The Israeli Defense Forces then responded with their own barrage, which resulted in the Syrian military attempting to intercept the Israeli missiles.

No casualties have been confirmed.

The exchange is still ongoing between the two forces, with both sides firing missiles at one another.

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It's pretty easy to see who side who is on, by who they report fired first.

[ThePythonicCow]

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The UK shows it colors, with a strong article reporting that Iran and Syria are to blame for starting this, in this article:

Israel SHELLS Syrian positions in response to Iranian missile STRIKE (Express, UK)

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Israel SHELLS Syrian positions in response to Iranian missile STRIKE

ISRAEL fired several volleys of missiles against Syrian positions with reports of explosions in Damascus after a barrage of Iranian shells were fired on the Israeli-held Golan Heights, according to local reports.

By Matt Drake PUBLISHED: 03:24, Thu, May 10, 2018

Several shells have reportedly hit the Syrian Governorate of Quneitra, launched from the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights.

The Syrian defence system engaged with several targets over Damascus and early reports suggested they were cruise missiles.

Syrian expert Danny Makki said:

Syrian Air Defences firing at rockets over South West Damascus.

Mezzeh airbase has been reportedly hit by an Israeli rocket.

The Syrian army (not Iranians) launched 50 rockets (not 20) to several Israeli army targets in the Golan, and most rockets hit their targets.
— Fares Shehabi MP (@ShehabiFares) 9 May 2018

The situation is no joke, its a serious escalation which risks developing into something far more widespread.

And analyst Frida Ghitis said:

Iran is firing more rockets into Israel.

Israel has responded forcefully to violations of its red lines. This is extremely serious.

Israel's response is unprecedented and has been on a far larger scale than the US-led strike in April.

Two military ariports in Khalkhala and Balli have been hit.

A Syrian radar installation has been hit too, according to Syrian state news agency SANA citing a military source

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[ThePythonicCow]

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Meanwhile, Reuters reports that The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Israel started it:

Report: Israeli missile attack on military bases south of Damascus in Syria killed Iranian soldiers (Reuters)

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Report: Israeli missile attack on military bases south of Damascus in Syria killed Iranian soldiers

May 9, 2018

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday an Israeli attack on Iranian military facilities south of Damascus had killed at least 15 people, including eight Iranians.

The reports of an Israeli attack in Kisweh late on Tuesday emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the Iranian nuclear deal.

The UK-based Observatory said the missile strikes hit depots and rocket launchers, killing 15 individuals including eight Iranians. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

A commander in the regional alliance fighting alongside Damascus said that Israel had hit a Syrian army base without causing casualties.

Trump’s hard tack against the nuclear deal, while welcomed by Israel, has stirred fears of a possible regional flare-up.

Within hours of the White House announcement on Tuesday night, Syrian state media said that its air defenses had brought down two Israeli missiles.

Israel’s military declined to comment on the reports, shortly after it said it had identified “irregular activity” by Iranian forces in Syria and went onto high alert. The military had instructed authorities in the Golan Heights bordering Syria to ready bomb shelters and mobilized some reservist forces.

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There is quite a bit more to this article, with more back and forth detail, at the above link.

[ThePythonicCow]

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... and The Drudge Report shows its colors:

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Here are the four articles linked in the above Drudge headlines (well, not exactly the same articles - Drudge refreshed its homepage as I was writing this, but similar articles):

• ISRAEL SHELLED Iran bombards Israel with ’20 rockets’ and artillery from Syria after Damascus air strikes (The UK Sun)
• After alleged Iranian barrage, Israel launches massive counterattack in Syria (Times of Israel)
• Trump warns Iran: ‘Don’t restart your nuclear weapons program (Jerusalem Post)
• Trump Iran sanctions just gave Saudi Arabia and Russia more clout in the oil market, so watch for higher prices (CNBC)

[ThePythonicCow]

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In related news, the Iranian Fars News agency reports there is a massive buildup of new bases and of arms sales by the US in Syria, and Yahoo reports that the new US embassy in Jerusalem will open in one week.

The chess pieces are being moved into place on the board. I seriously doubt that we've heard the last of this one.

There have been several wars in the Middle East involving Israel, including:

• 1948 Palestine War
• 1948 Arab-Israeli War
• 1956 Suez Crisis
• 1967 Six Day War
• 1973 Yom Kippur War
• 1982 Lebanon War
• 1987-1993 First Intifada
• 2000-2005 Second Intifada

So an escalation to a substantial regional war once again would certainly not be surprising.

My current hunch is that this newest war between Israel and its neighbors will be the "war to end all wars" in that region. The build up for this war has been substantial, on many fronts, and we seem to be rapidly approaching the time for some of the more dramatic shifts in world affairs, finances, politics, economics and earth cycles that I've been anticipating for quite a few years.

[ThePythonicCow]

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Three or four days ago now, the Jerusalem Post was setting the stage for Israel's blaming Iran for starting a war because Iranian forces in Syria had the temerity to defend against Israeli attacks:

Iran planning to launch a barrage of missiles against Israel (Jerusalem Post; 6 May 2018)

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Iran planning to launch a barrage of missiles against Israel

Military analyst Roni Daniel said the intelligence suggested Iran would use Shiite militias already deployed in Syria, along with experts from Hezbollah.

By Anna Ahronheim, May 6, 2018 20:26

Israel is bracing for a barrage of missiles to be launched toward military positions along its northern front from Syria by Shi’ite militias trained and funded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran is reportedly very determined to carry out an attack. Intelligence reports have indicated such an attack is in the advanced planning stages and might soon be executed as Iran vowed to do in retaliation for an alleged Israeli air strike against the T4 airbase near Homs used by the IRGC two months ago.

Israel has allegedly uncovered involvement by Hezbollah commanders and senior operatives from Shi’ite militias in the planning of the retaliatory strike. It is believed these militias, along with experts from Hezbollah under the command of the IRGC’s Quds Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Qassem Soleimani, will launch precision-guided missiles or armed drones from a base in Syria.

“The idea is to use heavy Iranian missiles, including the Fateh-110 under the command and with the advisory work of Hezbollah but without an IRGC presence,” Channel 10 reported on Sunday night, adding that Hezbollah members from Lebanon have been brought to Syria to train Shi’ite militia members for the attack.

While military officials have briefed mayors across the country on the latest developments, the heads of local councils in northern Israel have told residents there have been no special instructions or precautions issued.

While Hezbollah and the IRGC are the only groups that have the weapons and know-how to launch such an attack, it is believed the missiles will be launched by one of the many Shi’ite militia groups deployed in Syria to give Tehran the ability to deny their role.

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[ThePythonicCow]

The most recent updates from Hal Turner, posted between 11:50 PM EDT, 9 May 2018, and 1:10 AM EDT, 10 May 2018:

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Israeli Cabinet in Emergency Meeting DECLARATION OF WAR "LIKELY"

Syrian Army 4th Division Base struck by multiple Israeli missiles.

Israel says they are primarily striking at IRANIAN targets inside Syria but are engaging all "hostiles."

UNCONFIRMED -- UNCONFIRMED reports Syrians may have shot down an Israeli war plane. UNCONFIRMED

SEVERAL "DIVISION 4" POSITIONS DESTROYED TONIGHT. DIVISION 4 NEAR DAMASCUS IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST OF THE SYRIAN ARAB ARMY.

RUSSIAN JETS TAKEOFF FROM HMEYMIM AIR FORCE BASE TO CONFRONT ISRAELI JETS OVER LEBANON!

Electricity completely out in all of Damascus. Population fleeing in panic.

Wave after Wave of Israeli missiles seem to be overwhelming Syrian defenses. Several Syrian Air Defense sites destroyed and several others now with destroyed RADAR.

SECOND REPORT OF "MULTIPLE" ISRAELI WAR PLANES SHOT DOWN -- AT LEAST TWO ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

Hezbollah in Lebanon says it is deciding whether or not to attack Israel from Lebanon.

Israeli military briefing says 35+ sites inside Syria attacked including Iranian sites and Syrian anti-aircraft batteries. "We warned the Syrian Army to stay out of this."

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[Jad]

Is it really a coincidence that things are heating up in that region since the World Cup in Russia is about 5 weeks away? Billions of eyeballs will be watching this tournament, so let’s hope they don’t use it to kickstart a new paradigm shift..

[shaberon]

Israel and Syria have directly exchanged fire of around 60 missiles.

According to al-Alam, in occupied Golan, "It added that tens of Israeli military centers, including the command center for technical and electronic tapping, the 9900 secret border headquarters to collect visual intelligence, the military command center for electronic warfare, the pin-pointing weapons watchtower, the regional command center for the Isreali army unit 810, the military brigade command center in Harmoun, the al-Shatawi center of Benastim winter warfare special unit, came under attack."

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970220000673

Israel has not been attacked like this in decades.

Edit: and this is within a few days ago, Bibi and Lieberman became Caesar. Regardless of what happened previously, these kind of blatant attacks are bound to set off the Iran Defense Pact, perhaps then they will bring him some gripes. Hezbollah just won a majority in Lebanon.

[Fellow Aspirant]

Holy Crap!

Has anybody told Jared?

Brian

[ThePythonicCow]

As could have been expected, the plot thickens.

Israel is claiming that:

• Israel's attack on Syria was an attack on Iranian assets inside Syria.
• That attack was retribution for an attack (some 20 rockets fired) on Israeli assets on the Golan Heights.
• Those 20 rockets were fired by Iranian Quds forces, which are led by Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
• The US has given Israel the green light to assassinate General Soleimani.

Various references for various items of the above:

• Ynetnews.com
• Blacklistednews.com
• IndiaTVNews.com
• al-monitor.com
• time.com
• wisdomsave.com
• PravdaReport.com
• PressTV.com

For example, the New York Times reports:

Early on Thursday, Iranian forces fired about 20 Grad and Fajr-5 rockets at the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, targeting forward positions of the Israeli military, according to an Israeli military spokesman. The barrage was launched under the command of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and used Iranian weapons, said the Israeli spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.

Ken, over at RedefiningGod.com, has been warning ... well warning of many things, most of which have not transpired ... but one item he has mentioned repeatedly is that an assassination of Quds force commander Iranian General Qasem Soleimani would be, if it happened, a key element in the unfolding drama before us.

Keep your eye on this man:

Quds force commander Iranian General Qasem Soleimani

[ThePythonicCow]

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Two different narratives ... depending on who you listen to.

The basic timeline, to which both sides seem to agree:

• May 8 - Trump announces that he will not renew the Iran nuclear deal.
• May 8 - One hour later, Israel launches missiles into Syria, killing some Syrians and some Iranians.
• May 10 - Some 20 missiles are launched (by Syria or Iran?) from Syria into the Golan Heights .
• May 10 - Hours later, Israeli warplanes attacked dozens of allegedly Iranian targets in Syria.

RT News observes here that it would have made little sense for Iran to have launched the 20 missiles from within Syria into the Golan Heights (Syrian territory illegally occupied by Israel since 1967).

The Iranian news site Farsnews, here, reports that Syria, not Iran, fired those 20 missiles:

As Tel Aviv and Western media have accused Tehran of launching rocket and missile attacks at Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights, Member of the Parliament Fares Shehabi tweeted on Thursday that "Iran denies firing any rocket at Israel! The Syrian army fired more than 50 rockets at Israel in response to continuous Israeli terrorism against Syria".

I would have to agree, from what I've seen so far, that it would be Syria, not Iranian forces within Syria, that would be most motivated to fire some rockets into the Golan Heights, after all the bullets, missiles, rockets, bombs, faked chemical attacks and slanderous lies that Israel and its cutouts have fired at Syria, substantially destroying a once fine nation.

I would also have to agree that the primary instigator here is Israel, not Syria or Iran.

Israel keeps attacking Syria, on the (present) excuse that they will not allow Iranian forces in Syria. Syria can invite whomever it wants into its land, and given the belligerent behavior of the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia against Syria and its neighbors, I think that it's quite sensible of Syria to invite Iranian and Russian troops and equipment into its lands.

Israel, not Iran, is the habitual aggressor in the Middle East wars of the last 70 years .It's disgusting, in my book, that Israel keeps getting away with its hostile behavior, egregious lies, and their blaming their victims for the results.

I am also quite disappointed to see that US President Trump is almost certainly an asset of Israeli Fascist Neocon Zionist operatives.

It seems that in the last US Presidential Election, held late 2016, we Americans had a choice between an asset of the Muslim Brotherhood, or an asset of the Zionists.

[shaberon]

Isn't it surreal? Iran seems to mostly deny themselves being targeted. Syria claims being targeted and responsibility for the retaliation. The Lebanese seem to think the Zionists will de-escalate: http://english.almanar.com.lb/503622

Iron Dome seems to have performed poorly. They probably are going to go away sulking after eating what seemed to me to be an equal response in number of missiles launched. Syria blocked most and took some damage. Going to guess that Israel blocked less and got hit worse. Does anyone expect them to do anything once that starts happening??