Russia thanked the IDF for a strike it conducted against Islamic State targets in southern Syria in retaliation for ISIS rocket fire on Israel.
By: World Israel News Staff
Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday issued a rare statement thanking the IDF for a strike it conducted against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in southern Syria in retaliation for ISIS rocket fire on Israel.
On Wednesday, ISIS fired two Grad rockets at Israel’s north, setting off sirens in the area. The rockets landed in the Kinneret, Sea of Galilee, causing no damage or injuries.
The beaches were full of swimmers nearby amid the summer vacation season.
In response, the IDF aircraft targeted the rocket launcher from which they were fired. The area surrounding it was targeted by IDF artillery.
“Russian armed forces’ command in Syria used the existing communication channels to thank the IDF leadership for killing terrorists and stopping a massive provocation,” the Ministry said in a statement, according to Russia’s Sputnik News.
“A precision strike by jets and IDF artillery operatively destroyed Daesh (Arabic acronym for ISIS) terrorists and their rocket launchers,” the Russian ministry stated.
The IDF estimates that the ISIS fire was a spillover from the intense fighting between Bashar al-Assad’s advancing armies and rebel forces based adjacent to Israel border with Syria.
Ynet reported that Israeli defense officials believe ISIS launched the rockets at Israel as a provocation in an attempt to make Israel attack the Syrian army in retaliation.
This assessment is based on the fact Assad’s army was attacking ISIS from the north and east, and so any fire to the west, towards Israel, would have to be intentional, they say.
“Over the last few days, intense internal fighting has taken place in Syria adjacent to the border with Israel. The IDF will act against any attempt to compromise Israeli sovereignty and the safety of its civilians,” the IDF stated.