Israel Strikes Key Military Base in Syria Used by Russia

As per Reuters and Syrian media reports, two Syrian soldiers lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries due to Israeli airstrikes on the Mediterranean port city of Tartus.

The latest strikes also targeted areas near a military base in the southern part of Hama, the Shuayrat military airport situated southeast of the central province of Homs. This base is one of the country's primary airbases, reinforced by Russia and used for conducting raids against insurgents.

The strikes occurred in proximity to the sole Mediterranean base of the Russian fleet in the port of Tartus, where Russian military ships are stationed. Additionally, the Russian Hmeimim airbase is also nearby.

Israeli and regional military experts believe that these strikes are part of an escalation in the low-intensity conflict, aimed at slowing down Iran's influence in Syria.

Russia's intervention on the side of Iran has helped tilt the course of the over-decade-long conflict in favor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel's Stance on the Ukraine War

In June of this year, the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel accused the country's government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, of closely cooperating with the Russian Federation amid Moscow's extensive aggression against Ukraine, which is home to a significant Jewish community.

Later, Ukraine and Israel found themselves on the brink of a diplomatic scandal, particularly over the absence of military assistance despite the country's participation in Ramstein-format meetings.

In Ukraine, there has been a proposal to abolish visa-free entry for Israeli citizens and to ban representatives of this country from attending "Ramstein" format meetings. This initiative emerged following Tel Aviv's reluctance to provide military assistance to Ukraine and its unfriendly treatment of Ukrainian refugees in the country, where the medical insurance program for them was terminated.