BICOM

Israel bombed a number of military sites in Aleppo last night, according to the Syrian army.

Explosions were heard in Aleppo’s industrial zone with conflicting reports over casualties and targets. In a statement, the Syrian military said: “The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down”.

But according to opposition sources, the air strikes hit an Iranian logistics hub and weapons depot close to Nairab military airport which is used by Iranian forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least seven people were killed and these are thought to be Iranian personnel. If the reports are confirmed, this would be the second time in less than a year that the airport has been targeted by Israeli strikes.

Israel’s Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said, “As far as Iran knows, it’s Israel” who bombed the bases in Syria.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the Golan Heights, after the US recognised Israeli sovereignty over the area. The UK’s Ambassador to the UN, Karen Pierce, supported Israel’s right of self-defence, calling on Syria, Iran and Hezbollah to refrain from destabilising activities. She said: “We emphasise the importance of adhering to rules-based international system and abiding by UNSCRs which are designed to protect it. This is true irrespective of how important the Golan is to Israel’s security, or of the lack of progress in peace talks.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said that for 19 years “Syria used the Golan as a forward post against the State of Israel and today it is Iran who wants to station its soldiers on the edge of the Sea of Galilee,” and that it is time: “The international community recognises the Golan will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever”.

Russia’s deputy ambassador Vladimir Safronkov criticised the US at the meeting, saying: “If anybody feels any temptation to follow this poor example, we would urge them to refrain from this aggressive revision of international law.”

The European Union released a statement on Wednesday on behalf of all 28 member states saying the EU “does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights”.