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Iranian forces 'fire rockets' at Israeli positions in Golan Heights | Iranian forces 'fire rockets' at Israeli positions in Golan Heights |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Israel's military says Iranian forces have fired rockets at its positions in the occupied Golan Heights. | |
It said around 20 rockets were fired by Iran's Revolutionary Guard early on Thursday and some were intercepted, adding that there were no casualties. | It said around 20 rockets were fired by Iran's Revolutionary Guard early on Thursday and some were intercepted, adding that there were no casualties. |
Earlier this week, Israel said it had noted "irregular activity" by Iranian forces in the region. | Earlier this week, Israel said it had noted "irregular activity" by Iranian forces in the region. |
It placed its troops in the Golan Heights on high alert and urged civilians to take shelter. | It placed its troops in the Golan Heights on high alert and urged civilians to take shelter. |
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it viewed the incident "with great severity and remains prepared for a wide variety of scenarios". | In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it viewed the incident "with great severity and remains prepared for a wide variety of scenarios". |
A spokesman for the military, Jonathan Conricus, said that Israel had retaliated for the attack but did not give details. | A spokesman for the military, Jonathan Conricus, said that Israel had retaliated for the attack but did not give details. |
Syria's state news agency Sana later said Israeli missiles had been shot down over Syria by anti-aircraft defences. | Syria's state news agency Sana later said Israeli missiles had been shot down over Syria by anti-aircraft defences. |
The latest confrontation follows a reported Israeli missile strike on a military outpost south of the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday. | The latest confrontation follows a reported Israeli missile strike on a military outpost south of the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday. |
Sana reported that two missiles were shot down in the Kiswah area and that two civilians were killed in an explosion. | Sana reported that two missiles were shot down in the Kiswah area and that two civilians were killed in an explosion. |
But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said the missiles hit an Iranian weapons depot, killing 15 pro-government fighters. | But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said the missiles hit an Iranian weapons depot, killing 15 pro-government fighters. |
Eight members of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards force and several other non-Syrian nationals were among those killed, it said. | Eight members of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards force and several other non-Syrian nationals were among those killed, it said. |
Israel did not comment on the reports, but its government has vowed to stop what it considers Iran's military "entrenchment" in Syria. | Israel did not comment on the reports, but its government has vowed to stop what it considers Iran's military "entrenchment" in Syria. |
Iran is a Syrian ally and has deployed hundreds of troops to the country. | Iran is a Syrian ally and has deployed hundreds of troops to the country. |
Thousands of militiamen armed, trained and financed by Iran - mostly from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, but also Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen - have also been fighting alongside the Syrian army. | Thousands of militiamen armed, trained and financed by Iran - mostly from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, but also Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen - have also been fighting alongside the Syrian army. |