Israeli missiles target Syrian military bases and 'chemical research lab'

Israel has reportedly carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian military positions in Syria, including the targeting of an alleged chemical weapons research laboratory.

Suspected Israeli missiles hit targets in Aleppo, in northern Syria, and Deir az-Zour, in the east of the country, in a wave of strikes on Monday night.

A Tehran-led militia base was targeted in Deir az-Zour, with 14 Iranian and Iraqi fighters killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Intense strikes also took place in Safira, eastern Aleppo countryside, which was acknowledged by the Syrian regime who said a military base and research centre were targeted by Israel.

Western intelligence believe that Syria is working with Iranian scientists on developing chemical weapons, including at the Scientific Studies and Research Center, which was targeted on Monday night.

The Syrian regime are believed to have carried out scores of chemical attacks on opposition areas, including the use of the deadly sarin nerve agent. 

The centre is believed to be responsible for developing chemical weapons - banned under international law.

Israel is most concerned with the spread of Iranian militias in Syria and research on missile technology, which might enable Hezbollah in Lebanon to develop a more sophisticated and deadly arsenal of rockets.

Its air force has stepped up attacks on Syria in recent weeks, as the world's focus has been on the coronavirus epidemic.

Israel's Defence Minister Naftali Bennett said last week that his forces would intensify strikes on Iranian positions in Syria.

The inability of Syria to prevent the Israeli strikes have led some regime supporters to criticise the performance of Russian air defences, which include the S-300.

Syria is meanwhile embroiled in a dispute between business tycoon Rami Makhlouf and President Bashar Al-Assad, two of the country's most important figures.


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