By Stephen LendmanOn Friday, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Israeli warplanes bombed a military post near Quneitra in Syrian controlled Golan killing one soldier, wounding eight others.
The pro-Western London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported two deaths – possible military officials close to Assad. It indicated raids struck other targets outside Damascus, including a weapons depot.
Israel said the IDF “targeted 14 Syrian military posts in the Syrian Golan Heights” – without further explanation. Israeli media reported artillery batteries, army outposts and communications antennae struck.
The attack was perhaps the largest one since the 1967 Six Day War. Is it possible prelude to US/Israeli/Turkish full-scale war on Assad? Things have been heading toward it for many months.
Israeli officials outrageously blamed Syria and Iran for alleged rocket fire they had nothing to do with if it occurred at all. SANA said Israel bombed Syrian territory “(i)n a bid to support the armed terrorist organizations and boost their low morale…”
“(A)n Israeli helicopter fired rockets on Quneitra (early Thursday evening) targeting the Transport Directorate and the Governorate’s Building…caus(ing) material damage only.”
Unnamed Israeli sources irresponsibly blamed Iran and Syria for allegedly planning rocket attacks on northern Israel carried out by Damascus-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad elements. The organization denied any involvement in what allegedly happened.
Hawkish Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon claimed Thursday’s incident was a “coming attraction” of more to come – from “a richer and more murderous Iran” aided by sanctions relief.
“This is the intention of the bloody regime from Tehran, and the Western world cannot just sweep that fact under the rug,” he blustered.
Israel’s campaign to undermine the Iran nuclear agreement and eliminate its two main regional rivals includes concocting fabricated accusations only morons or liars would accept.
Iran and Syria didn’t attack Israeli territory – not now or earlier. Nor will they except in self-defense.
Separately, Obama told congressional Democrats he’ll continue economic pressure on Iran, maintain the military option, and increase missile defense and other aid for Israel if the nuclear deal is approved next month.
The World Bank weighed in claiming oil prices will drop another $10 a barrel if Iranian sanctions are lifted – while providing an economic boost, saying:
Just as the tightening of sanctions in 2012 led to a sharp decline in Iran’s oil exports and two years of negative growth, we expect the removal of sanctions to boost exports and revive the economy.Foreign investors are eager to do business in Iran. German vice chancellor/energy and economics minister Sigmar Gabriel visited Tehran – pledging to restore economic ties. He led a delegation of 60 German corporations eager to gain entry to Iran’s market.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius came for the same reason. The Hollande government intends sending a delegation of 80 French companies to Tehran in late September.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is expected to come. Britain, Spain, Sweden and other European countries plan visits.
Israel is going all-out to keep Iran isolated. Expect more baseless accusations ahead.
Maybe Netanyahu has a major false flag attack in mind next – anything to keep demonizing Iran, block the nuclear deal, as well as maintain pressure against Western investment and trade.
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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
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