Israel’s foreign minister says it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.
Gideon Saar said Monday that “the only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens.”
“That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.
He spoke after Syrian rebels reached Damascus over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad’s government following nearly 14 years of civil war.
U.S. leaders, including President Biden, have confirmed the United States is collaborating with Middle Eastern nations to prevent chemical weapons, previously controlled by the Assad regime, from falling into the hands of hostile entities.
“We will support Syria’s neighbors — Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel — from any threat that could arise from Syria,” Biden said in a speech on Sunday.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement Sunday “We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
