After remaining completely silent in the past regarding Israeli strikes targeting Iranian militia positions in Syria, Russia appears to have changed its approach, threatening for the first time to potentially close Syrian airspace to Tel Aviv's aircraft. The Russian Ministry of Defense, which had previously not commented on Israeli raids, released two separate statements in recent days following two Israeli attacks: one targeting a research center in rural Aleppo and the other a site where Iranian forces were based in Qusayr near Homs.
The ministry stated in its comments that the Russian air defense systems "Pantsir" and "Buk," possessed by the Syrian regime forces, had shot down "most of the Israeli missiles," which were distributed as follows: 4 in rural Homs and 8 in rural Aleppo. It also focused on the areas from which the attacks originated, confirming that the first came from Lebanese airspace, while the second was launched from the Tanf area located at the tri-border junction of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.
With the issuance of these statements, Russia has revealed for the first time a new change in its method without clarifying its nature or reasons; however, a Russian source hinted at the possibility of closing the airspace, as he put it.
For its part, Israel has not commented on the strikes, as is customary, nor has it officially acknowledged them, while the recent strikes in rural Homs and Aleppo are the first of their kind under the "Bennett-Lapid" government, whereas previous raids occurred during Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure.
Israeli bombardment typically targets Iranian militia sites only, resulting in the destruction of locations and depots for weapons, missiles, and ammunition. Tel Aviv has repeatedly stated that it will continue to counter what it describes as Iran's attempts to establish its military presence in Syria.
It is noteworthy that Israel has carried out more than 14 attacks since the beginning of this year, whether through missile or aerial strikes, resulting in the injury and destruction of about 41 targets, including buildings, weapon and ammunition depots, headquarters, centers, and vehicles, with these strikes receiving either Russian silence or indifference at best. Recent Israeli airstrikes resumed on areas in central Syria last Thursday, targeting Hezbollah's stronghold in the Qusayr area of Homs province in a strike that was the second within 48 hours.
