Syria Blames Israel for Strike Near Damascus; Target Was Iranian Missiles Aimed at Israel

Syria said Tuesday that Israel carried out an attack on a military base south of Damascus, which was used by Iranian forces. According to reports, Israeli fighter jets entered Syrian airspace and struck Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. 

The Israeli military said it identified what it said was unusual movements of Iranian forces in Syria, and it believed those forces were preparing for an imminent retaliation against Israel.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least nine fighters loyal to the Assad regime were killed in the attack. The report said there was no confirmation whether they were members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps or other militants loyal to Iran. The state-run Syrian News agency quoted medical sources as saying two civilians were killed. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered communities in the Golan Heights, bordering Syria, to open public shelters. Intelligence officers and other specialized forces have been called up, though reserve combat units have not been drafted. Israeli military bases were preparing for a possible Iranian attack.

A pro-Assad commander said Israeli fighter jets struck a Syria army position south of Damascus, adding that there were no casualties. Syrian state media reported that Syrian air defenses fired at two Israeli missiles, destroying both, in the Kiswah area.

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There was no immediate comment from Israel, which almost never confirms or denies airstrikes in Syria.

The reports come on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump's dramatic withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

Israel believes Iran is determined to take revenge for the April 9 airstrike on Syria’s T4 airbase, which killed seven Iranian military advisers and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Iran blames Israel for this attack.

The military said any Iranian strike against Israel will be met with a severe response, even as the working assumption is that Iran is has limited capabilities to engage in conflict with Israel.

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Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued an alert warning all U.S. government employees not travel to the Golan Heights unless they obtain an approval in advance.

"Due to the recent tensions in the region, until further notice, U.S. government employees are required to obtain advance approval if they wish to travel to the Golan Heights," the warning on the website read.

U.S. government employees were asked to "maintain situational awareness" and monitor media to be up to date with the situation on Israel's Northern front. They were further encouraged to visit the website of Israel’s Home Front Command for guidance.