IDF strikes Syria terrorist planning IED attack on troops

The strike took place near Beit Jinn, about 10 kilometers, or 6 miles, from the Israeli border.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel’s military struck an armed terrorist in southwestern Syria after identifying him as an immediate threat while he prepared an improvised explosive device attack against Israeli troops, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The strike took place near Beit Jinn, about 10 kilometers, or 6 miles, from the Israeli border.

According to the IDF, preparations for the planned attack had reached their final stages when the terrorist was targeted.

Syrian state television and other Syrian media said a vehicle was hit in the attack and one person was wounded.

The Beit Jinn operation was reported as Israel separately disclosed information concerning its strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military air base, where Israeli officials said they acted to prevent a planned Turkish military deployment.

Intelligence obtained by Israel showed that Turkey intended to station troops, radar equipment and air defense systems at Abu al-Duhur, Kan News reported Saturday. Israel conveyed that intelligence to the United States, according to Kan.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Saturday that Syrian officials were given an opportunity to stop the deployment before Israel resorted to military action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also said Syria was warned in advance of the strikes.

Katz said the decision to contact Damascus was made following consultations involving Netanyahu, the IDF and other Israeli security officials.

“Following several discussions that Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and I held with the IDF and the various security officials, it was agreed that before approval was given, a direct warning would be issued to the Syrian regime at the highest levels first in an attempt to prevent the move, and that is what was done,” Katz said.

The two Israeli operations addressed different developments inside Syria. At Abu al-Duhur, Israeli officials said military action was taken to prevent Turkey from establishing the planned presence at the air base.