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Conflict in Syria

Netanyahu says approved airstrikes on strategic military facilities in Syria

Israel, in the prime minister's words, wants "to have relations with the new regime in Syria," but if the new government in the neighboring country "allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria," Israel "will respond forcefully"

TEL AVIV, December 10. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has approved strikes on military facilities in Syria that were abandoned by the Bashar Assad army to prevent their being seized by jihadists.

"We (Israel - TASS) have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs; however, we do intend to do what is necessary for our security," his office quoted him as saying. "As such, I approved the Air Force bombing of strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian military so that they will not fall into the hands of the jihadists."

"This is similar to what the British Air Force did when it bombed the fleet of the Vichy regime, which was cooperating with the Nazis, so that it would not fall into the Nazis' hands," he explained.

Israel, in his words, wants "to have relations with the new regime in Syria," but if the new government in the neighboring country "allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons, or weapons of any kind, to Hezbollah, or attacks us - we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price."

"What happened to the previous regime will also happen to this one," he warned.

According to Israel’s N12 television channel, 350 Israeli fighter jets have hit 320 strategic facilities of the Assad army over the day. According to the TV channel’s source, up to 80% of the Assad army’s potential, including warplanes, air defense systems, warships, production and underground facilities, munitions depots, cruise missiles, and tanks, have been destroyed.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israeli forces had destroyed actually the entire Syrian Navy.

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Syrian conflict

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