December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes
| December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes | |
|---|---|
| Part of Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war and the Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war | |
 Rif Dimashq Governorate in Syria (red)
| |
| Operational scope | Strategic |
| Planned by | Allegedly Israel |
| Objective | The destruction of specific weapon depots around Damascus |
| Date | 7 December 2014 |
| Executed by | Alleged Israeli Air Force involvement |
| Outcome | Unknown |
| Casualties | Three Hezbollah members killed (Syrian opposition claim) |
The December 2014 Rif Dimashq airstrikes were a series of aerial attacks made on targets in Syria on 7 December 2014. The targets were a military area in Al-Dimas and the Damascus International Airport area.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack near the Damascus International Airport targeted a depot for newly arrived weapons at a military facility that is part of the airport. The attack at Al-Dimas targeted weapons depots in hangars around a small air base. Ten explosions were heard at Al-Dimas and the Syrian Army stated that some installations were damaged. According to the Syrian Opposition, three Hezbollah members were killed by the strikes in Al-Dimas. Syria claimed that an unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down.
During the attack, Syrian air defenses fired four surface-to-air missiles, hitting at least one of the Israeli Popeye missiles, the remnants of which fell into rebel-held territory in Al-Harra.
Reactions
- Syria - On 7 December, the Syrian Army condemned the attack and accused Israel of supporting "terrorists" in Syria.
- Israel - In a response to the accusations, the Israeli military said it does not comment on "foreign reports."
- Russia - Russia demanded explanation from Israel about the airstrikes. Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich also said that "Moscow is deeply worried by this dangerous development, the circumstances of which demand an explanation".