Israeli army helicopters struck military targets in southern Syrian on Friday in retaliation for earlier "munitions" fire towards Israel from inside Syria, escalating tensions between the bitter rivals.

The strikes came hours after America's top general Mark Milley made an unannounced visit to the Jewish state for talks on regional security including Iran, a key ally of the Syrian government.

Israel said early on Friday "munitions" were fired from the Syrian side of the security fence towards Israeli positions in the Golan Heights, which the Jewish state has occupied since the 1967 Six Day war.

A vehicle and a civilian building were damaged, according to an earlier Israeli army statement.

In response, "attack helicopters struck military targets in southern Syria belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces".

"A number of targets were struck, including SAF observation posts and intelligence collection systems located in SAF bases," the statement said.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli missiles hit three targets, leaving two people "lightly wounded" while starting forest fires.

Israel did not directly blame Syrian forces for the munitions fire, but said it held the Damascus government responsible for the incident.

- Border reinforced -

Israel has over the past two days announced a reinforced troop presence on its northern border.

Several Israeli media outlets reported that the moves were made in response to an increased threat from the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which has a significant presence in Syria.

On Monday, five Iran-backed fighters were killed in an Israeli missile strike south of the Syrian capital Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Hezbollah, an ally of the Syrian regime, said one of its fighters was among the dead.

Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the country's civil war in 2011, but rarely comments on such operations.

Israel announced an initial enhanced troop deployment to the north on Thursday and additional measures on Friday, hours before the air strikes.

The army said that in ordering the redeployment it had "elevated its readiness against various potential enemy actions".

It added that it held the Lebanese government responsible for all actions emanating from Lebanon, without referring to Hezbollah.

Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alternate premier and Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Israel's army chief Aviv Kohavi, during his visit.

Gantz said the trip underscored the close security ties between Washington and the Jewish state and warned Israel was "ready for any scenario and any threat".

"I do not suggest our enemies to test us," Gantz said in a statement.

Related Links
Space War News

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

U.S. paratrooper dies in vehicle rollover in Syria
Washington DC (UPI) Jul 23, 2020
The Pentagon on Thursday identified a U.S. paratrooper who died earlier this week in a vehicle rollover in Syria. Sgt. Bryan Cooper Mount, 25, was killed Tuesday while conducting reconnaissance operations in Eastern Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group in areas of Iraq and Syria, the Department of Defense said in a statement. "The incident is under investigation," the statement said. The 82nd Airbor ... read more