United States believes Israel conducted airstrike in Syria, CNN reports

[Jefferson23]

United States believes Israel conducted airstrike in Syria, CNN reports
CNN quotes two officials as saying Israel most likely conducted the strike 'in the Thursday-Friday time frame' and that Israel's warplanes did not enter Syrian air space.

By Reuters and Haaretz | May.04, 2013 | 3:44 AM


The United States believes Israel has conducted an airstrike into Syria, CNN reported on Friday, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

CNN quoted the officials as saying Israel most likely conducted the strike "in the Thursday-Friday time frame" and that Israel's warplanes did not enter Syrian air space.

It said the officials did not believe Israel had targeted a chemical weapons facility.

There was no immediate confirmation. A White House spokeswoman referred questions on the CNN report to the Israeli government.

The Israel Defense Forces had no comment on the officials' remarks, but a source in the Israeli defense establishment told CNN: "We will do whatever is necessary to stop the transfer of weapons from Syria to terrorist organizations. We have done it in the past and we will do it if necessary the future."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/united-states-believes-israel-conducted-airstrike-in-syria-cnn-reports-1.519132

[Scootaloo]

1. It's not that I don't think that Israel is dumb enough to get involved in Syria...

It's just that if CNN's "nameless sources" told me the sky were blue, I'd look out the window.

[azurnoir]

2. Interesting from YNet the attack took place from Lebanese airspace did NOT target chemical weapons

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to elaborate. CNN quoted two unnamed U.S. officials as saying Israel most likely conducted the strike "in the Thursday-Friday time frame" and that Israel's warplanes did not enter Syrian airspace.

CNN said the officials did not believe Israel had targeted a chemical weapons facility. CBS News cited US sources as saying Israel targeted a warehouse.

CNN's Pentagon Correspondent, Barbara Starr reported that US and Western intelligence agencies were reviewing classified information, pointing to an Israeli strike conducted most likely in the Thursday-Friday time frame, as it conincided with additional US data showing that during this time Israel was flying a high number of warplanes over Lebanon.

There was no official confirmation. A White House spokeswoman referred questions on the CNN report to the Israeli government. The Pentagon declined comment.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4375768,00.html

[bemildred]

3. Israel Bombs Syria as the U.S. Weighs Its Own Options

WASHINGTON — Israeli aircraft bombed a target in Syria overnight Thursday, an Obama administration official said Friday night, as American officials said they were considering military options, including carrying out their own airstrikes.

American officials did not provide details on the target of the Israeli strike. The Associated Press quoted Israeli officials on Saturday as saying the target of the raid was a shipment of advanced missiles bound for the Hezbollah Shiite militia in Lebanon. While saying the shipment did not include chemical arms, the official described the missiles as “game changing,” an apparent reference to the capability of the missiles.

In late January, Israel carried out airstrikes against SA-17 antiaircraft weapons, which the Israelis feared were about to be moved to Hezbollah.

Israel has been worried that chemical weapons and advanced arms might be transferred to Hezbollah from Syria, and the Israeli military has made clear that it is prepared to take action to stop such shipments.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/world/middleeast/israel-syria.html