Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.
Isaiah 17:9 In that day their strong cities will be like the deserted places of the wooded heights and the hilltops, which they deserted because of the children of Israel, and there will be desolation.
Military operations and tensions are escalating quickly in the Golan Heights and Damascus, Syria.
Damascus is taking serious Israeli fire. Syria has responded by firing missiles into Israel. Defense sirens were blaring in the Golan Heights region as a result.
See video link below for geography and additional analysis.
Israel is claiming to have launched an offensive into Syria which includes 12 targets (3 Syrian SA5 and SA17 air defense batteries, 4 Iranian targets). The IDF is tweeting about the response. See the link below for tweets related to the incident.
Jonathan Conricus is the Spokesman & Head of Social Media of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
https://twitter.com/LTCJonathan
Israel has released video of shooting down an Iranian drone. The IDF claims the Iranian drone breeched Israeli airspace. Armored personnel operating the drone were destroyed as well. Israel reports the activity took place at 4:30 a.m. from an Apache attack helicopter. See the link below with video of the drone and personnel destruction.
Iran is denying the claim Israel shot down one of their drones. Iran states the notion is “ridiculous”.
Photo: Debka
An Israeli F-16 has been shot down during the incident. The F-16 remains are located near a village in Harduf. The area has been secured for investigation.The pilots ejected from the fighter jet. One pilot is in serious but stable condition. The other pilot sustained mild injuries.
“Iran and Syria are playing with fire. The results of our strikes are not yet fully known to them (Iran), and they may be surprised when they discover what we targeted,” IDF Brigadier General Ronen Manelis.
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israeli-Air-Force-strikes-Iranian-targets-in-Syria-542191
Hezbollah has issued a statement indicating a “new strategic phase” in response to Israel. Hezbollah is believed to possess 130,000 to 150,000 short, medium, and long-range missiles. These include the M-600 missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers (180 miles) and a 450-500 kilogram warhead; plus the Syrian B302 missiles with a range of about 100 kilometers (60 miles) and a 175kg warhead.
“Today’s developments mean the old equations have categorically ended.”
Hamas has issued a declaration placing their military wing on high alert.
“The al-Qassam brigades announce high alert among members in order to defend against any Zionist aggression.”
Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel was closed for about 15-20 minutes. Services have been restored to normal operation.
Russia is requesting all parties involved to show restraint.
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