Israeli Airstrike Hits Research Center Near Damascus, Syria

Syrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mission Dr. Bashara al-Jaafari listening to the attacks being made on his country by the special envoy Kofi Annan and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Syria is under threat of imperialist regime-change., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

New Israeli airstrike hits research center near Damascus, Syria says

Sun May 5, 2013 4:2AM GMT
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Syria says the Israeli regime has launched a new strike on the country, targeting a research center in a suburb of the capital, Damascus, following heavy losses of al-Qaeda-affiliated groups at the hands of the Syrian army.

The Syrian state television said the Jamraya research center, located northwest of the capital, was the target of the Israeli missile attack. There have also been reports of casualties.

Heavy blasts were also heard in Damascus overnight.

The Jamraya research center was also targeted by an Israeli airstrike in January.

The Sunday attack came shortly after Tel Aviv confirmed on Friday that its warplanes had hit a “game-changing” target in Syria.

“The new Israeli attack is an attempt to raise the morale of the terrorist groups which have been reeling from strikes by our noble army,” the Syrian state television said.

The Israeli attack “aims at loosening the noose around the terrorists in the eastern Ghouta” region, near Damascus, the state television added.

Tel Aviv has made no confirmation on the new Israeli strike. “We don’t respond to this kind of report,” an Israeli military spokeswoman said.

On Saturday, US President Barack Obama said the Israeli regime had the right to launch airstrikes on Syria.

“What I have said in the past and I continue to believe is that the Israelis justifiably have to guard against the transfer of advanced weaponry” to resistance movements like Hezbollah, Obama stated in an interview with the Spanish-language network Telemundo in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The turmoil in Syria began over two years ago, and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed. The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad said in April that the situation in the country was improving as the army enjoys people’s support in the fight against terrorism.


Israeli attacks opened door to all possibilities: Syria

Sun May 5, 2013 3:38PM GMT

Syria has described the recent Israeli aggression against its territory as a "flagrant violation of international law," adding that the attacks have opened the door "to all possibilities."

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi, told reporters following an emergency government meeting on Sunday that "Syria has the right and the duty to defend its people by all available means" and that Syria will not give in to Israeli aggression.

He stated that the Israeli attacks against Syria have made the Middle East "more dangerous."

Zohbi also stressed that Israeli strikes are evidence of Tel Aviv's links with militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Earlier, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in separate letters to the United Nations and the Security Council that Israeli strikes on Syria show Tel Aviv's coordination with terrorist groups operating in Syria, including al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.

Israeli warplanes hit several targets near the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday, Israel's second strike on Syria in three days.

According to Syrian media reports, Israeli rockets hit the Jamraya Research Center in Damascus countryside, causing casualties and widespread damage.

It is the second time that Israeli rockets hit the Jamraya Research Center. The facility was first hit in an Israeli airstrike in January.

Iran, Egypt and the Arab League have condemned the recent Israeli aggression against Syria with Arab League calling on the United Nation Security Council to "act immediately to end Israeli attacks on Syria."


Iran ready to train Syrian army: Iran cmdr.

Sun May 5, 2013 2:13PM GMT

Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan says Iran is ready to train the Syrian army should Damascus require assistance.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Pourdastan added that the Syrian army has gained experience during years of conflict with the occupying regime of Israel, and has the ability to defend itself with no need for foreign assistance.

"As a Muslim and friendly country, we stand by Syria and if there is need for training, we will provide them with necessary training,” the senior Iranian commander asserted.

He, however, emphasized that Iran would not have “active involvement in their operations.”

Pourdastan’s remarks came as the Syrian state television reported on Sunday that Israel has carried out an airstrike against the Jamraya Research Center, located northwest of the capital, Damascus. The center had been targeted by another Israeli airstrike back in January.

The Sunday attack came shortly after Tel Aviv confirmed that its warplanes had hit another target in Syria on Friday.

The unrest in Syria began over two years ago, and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel have so far lost their lives. The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad said in April that the situation in the country was improving as the army enjoys popular support in the fight against terrorism.