Israel Struck Iranian Missiles Near Damascus to Thwart Imminent Attack From Syria, Reports Say

Israel Struck Iranian Missiles Near Damascus to Thwart Imminent Attack From Syria, Reports Say
Israel opens shelters, braces for imminent Iranian attack ■ Syria TV: Air defenses down Israeli missiles ■ Israel military calls up some reserves
Syria said Israel carried out an attack on a military base south of Damascus on Tuesday, which was used by Iranian forces. According to reports, Israeli fighter jets entered Syrian airspace and struck Iranian missiles that could have been used in an attack against Israel.
The military said it identified what it said was unusual movements of Iranian forces in Syria. The military believed those forces were preparing for an imminent retaliation against Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered communities in the Golan Heights, bordering with 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.
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.
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.
Israel believes Iran is determined to retaliate 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.
"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 are asked to "maintain situational awareness" and monitor media to be up to date with the situation on Israel's Northern front. They are further encouraged to visit the website of Israel’s Home Front Command for guidance.
Yaniv Kubovich