Syria Calls Attack by Israel 'Declaration of War'
Ali Hashem reports on reactions from Syria and Hezbollah, blaming Israel for the attacks on Damascus that represent an escalation of the Syria war.
Israel could now be considered a full party to the Syria war, as Syrian state TV reported Israeli warplanes launched an attack on a research facility around Damascus on Sunday [May 5]. No further details were given.
According to sources close to the government in Damascus, speaking on condition of anonymity, there were at least four attacks — against the Jamraya research facility, an arms depot and an airport in Dimas. The largest was on Brigade 105 in Mount Qasioun.
"There were big losses in personnel and armory," said one source, stressing that some opposition groups also launched attacks on regime forces around Damascus.
The first official Syrian reaction to the attacks came from Information Minister Omran al-Zoabi, who said that "Israel's strike opens door to all possibilities." He also accused Israel of "coordinating with armed groups" fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Earlier, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad told CNN the Israeli strike was "an act of war."
