Russia slams “provocative” Israeli airstrikes on Damascus
Israel carried out an airstrike on the Damascus International Airport on November 26, reports The Arab Weekly and agencies.
It has been alleged that the rockets were fired from the illegally occupied Golan Heights and that parts of the Syrian capital’s countryside were also struck. No casualties were reported however the commercial airport is out of service until further notice.
Numerous fighters belonging to Iran-backed militias are based in the Damascus countryside as they are becoming increasingly prominent in key Syrian cities.
The Kremlin was in total condemnation of the strikes on Syria, perceiving them to be provocative and dangerous.
READ: Israel air strikes hit strategic targets in eastern Syria
The attacks are seen as provocative due to the region’s escalation of tensions due to clashes between militants Hamas and Israel since October 7. There are fears that Syria and indeed neighbouring countries could be flung into the Israel-Gaza conflict which has already resulted in the deaths of over 15,000 inhabitants in the Palestinian enclave and 1,200 to 1,400 in Israel’s south.
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s Foreign Minister, said in a statement, “We strongly condemn Israel’s latest provocative attack on an important Syrian civilian infrastructure facility,” .
“We are convinced that such a vicious practice is fraught with extremely dangerous consequences, especially in the context of a sharp aggravation of the situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the resulting increase in regional tension.” .
Russia’s veteran leader Vladimir Putin, a key ally of Bashar Al-Assad, blamed failed US foreign policy for the escalation of tensions between Israel and Gaza as well as the Middle East region more generally last month.
The Arab Weekly/ The National/ Reuters
