Israel strikes suspected Syrian chemical weapons sites

Israel’s foreign minister says it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.

“The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens,” said Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar on Monday.

“That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.”

He spoke after Syrian rebels entered Damascus, leading to the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad‘s government after nearly 14 years of civil war. This development has raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which remains divided among various armed groups.

Airstrikes have been reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital, on Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched the latest strike.

Sa’ar did not provide details about when or where the strikes took place.

U.S. leaders, including President Biden, have confirmed the United States is collaborating with Middle Eastern nations to prevent chemical weapons, previously controlled by the Assad regime, from falling into the hands of hostile entities.

“We will support Syria’s neighbors—Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel—from any threat that could arise from Syria,” Biden said in a speech on Sunday.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement Sunday “We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons.”

Israelis have expressed cautious optimism following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group. While welcoming the potential for reduced hostile influence near their borders, there is concern about the ensuing power vacuum and the rise of various armed factions within Syria.

Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria over recent years, primarily targeting sites it identifies as linked to Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, both of which were key allies of President Bashar al-Assad. While these strikes aim to disrupt the military capabilities of hostile forces, Israeli officials seldom comment on specific operations, maintaining a policy of ambiguity regarding their actions.

In 2013, Syria agreed to surrender its chemical weapons stockpile following international outrage over a chemical attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. However, it is widely believed that the Syrian government retained portions of its chemical arsenal and faced accusations of deploying such weapons in subsequent years, further intensifying concerns over their use in the protracted civil war.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.