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Late on August 17, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed an observation post of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the southern Syrian governorate of al-Quneitra.
At least three guided missiles, reportedly Spike NLOS, hit the post which was located on Qurs al-Nafil hill to the west of the town of Hader just a few hundred meters away from the “Separation of Forces” line. The post overlooked the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights.
While the post was destroyed, local sources in Hadar said that the Israeli strikes did not result in any casualties. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency admitted the attack. However, the SAA did not respond, as usual.
Another angle of the apparent IDF strike in Syriapic.twitter.com/bMt0hptyAN
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) August 17, 2021
According to the London-based Syrian Observation for Human Rights, Iranian forces were active in the targeted post. Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a key ally of Iran, is known to be present in Hader and its surroundings.
Earlier this year, the Israeli military warned SAA service members in al-Quneitra, especially those serving in the ranks of the 1st Corps, against collaborating with Hezbollah in leaflets dropped over al-Quneitra.
Israeli battle tanks, attack helicopters and commando units destroyed several small posts of the SAA in al-Quneitra over the last few months.
Israel’s attempts to intimidate SAA troops and to push Iranian-backed forces, especially Hezbollah, out from the region will not likely stop anytime soon.
