Rocket attack triggers Israeli retaliation in Syria & fears of self-fulfilling prophecies

After three weeks of de-escalation, an Iran-linked attack provokes Israeli escalation & threats.

For the first time since Assad’s fall seven months ago, Israel was the target on Monday night of a small-scale rocket attack from southwestern Syria. Two crudely launched artillery rockets were launched from a rural area outside Tasil in western Daraa, traversing approximately 10km and landing inside Israeli territory, where they landed in open territory. The attack caused no casualties, or damage.

Initially, the IDF launched retaliatory artillery strikes into areas of western Daraa, striking targets in Sahm al-Golan, al-Sadd, Koya and Hosh al-Bakkar, as well as elevated points at Tal al-Mahas, Tal al-Mal and Tal al-Sha’ar — according to local reports. Then came three rounds of Israeli airstrikes, hitting targets including the 175th Brigade base near Izraa, Daraa; the 121st Brigade, near Kanaker in Rif Dimashq; and Dahr al-Aswad, near Saasaa in Rif Dimashq. A small convoy of armored vehicles also reinforced the IDF’s forward operating base in Ma’ariyah in western Daraa.