EXCLUSIVE:
'Syria war will NOT stop' – Middle East expert warns of MORE
airstrikes to come
THE
SYRIAN conflict is far from over because of the developing risk of
escalation between Israel and Iran, according to Middle East expert
Danny Makki.
29
April, 2018
Mr
Makki was born in London but moved to Syria to work as a journalist
and decided to stay in Damascus until the siege of East Ghouta was
finished.
On
April 7 a suspected chemical weapons attack was allegedly carried out
in Douma, East Ghouta which prompted a US-led response a week later
on April 14 against chemical weapons factories in Damascus – Makki
was in the capital during the attack.
But
on April 9 an airstrike was launched against the Iranian T4 base
which the Syrian regime blamed on Israel.
“The
airstrikes will continue,” said Mr Makki, “a lot of people
thought the strikes on the T4 base was a response to the chemical
attack, but it wasn’t.”
He
added: “Israel are terrified of Iran installing air defences to
protect their bases.
“The
Israelis will continue striking these different targets and there are
between 20-25 targets to choose from so it will play out
considerably.
Mr
Makki was born in London but moved to Syria to work as a journalist
and decided to stay in Damascus until the siege of East Ghouta was
finished.
On
April 7 a suspected chemical weapons attack was allegedly carried out
in Douma, East Ghouta which prompted a US-led response a week later
on April 14 against chemical weapons factories in Damascus – Makki
was in the capital during the attack.
But
on April 9 an airstrike was launched against the Iranian T4 base
which the Syrian regime blamed on Israel.
“The
airstrikes will continue,” said Mr Makki, “a lot of people
thought the strikes on the T4 base was a response to the chemical
attack, but it wasn’t.”
He
added: “Israel are terrified of Iran installing air defences to
protect their bases.
“The
Israelis will continue striking these different targets and there are
between 20-25 targets to choose from so it will play out
considerably.
“Over
the next year, I can honestly see that there will be dozens more
strikes even if it reaches the point where Israeli jets are downed.
“The
Israelis will not back down.
“It
is an issue of national security for them.
“So
this situation is going to continue, it’s not going to finish any
time soon.”
The
T4 airstrike was followed by another suspected Israeli attack on
Iranian targets on April 16.
Since
2012 the Israelis are believed to have launched more than 100 strikes
on suspected Iranian-linked positions in Syria.
Iran
is allied with Syria and has bases within the country and their
presence in Syria is a legitimate defence.
Mr
Makki was born in London but moved to Syria to work as a journalist
and decided to stay in Damascus until the siege of East Ghouta was
finished.
On
April 7 a suspected chemical weapons attack was allegedly carried out
in Douma, East Ghouta which prompted a US-led response a week later
on April 14 against chemical weapons factories in Damascus – Makki
was in the capital during the attack.
But
on April 9 an airstrike was launched against the Iranian T4 base
which the Syrian regime blamed on Israel.
“The
airstrikes will continue,” said Mr Makki, “a lot of people
thought the strikes on the T4 base was a response to the chemical
attack, but it wasn’t.”
He
added: “Israel are terrified of Iran installing air defences to
protect their bases.
“The
Israelis will continue striking these different targets and there are
between 20-25 targets to choose from so it will play out
considerably.
“Over
the next year, I can honestly see that there will be dozens more
strikes even if it reaches the point where Israeli jets are downed.
“The
Israelis will not back down.
“It
is an issue of national security for them.
“So
this situation is going to continue, it’s not going to finish any
time soon.”
The
T4 airstrike was followed by another suspected Israeli attack on
Iranian targets on April 16.
Since
2012 the Israelis are believed to have launched more than 100 strikes
on suspected Iranian-linked positions in Syria.
Iran
is allied with Syria and has bases within the country and their
presence in Syria is a legitimate defence.
Syria
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Mr
Makki believes the tension between the states are going to develop
'in the coming months'
But
Israeli officials argue airstrikes are necessary to combat Iran’s
Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, who are operating in Syria.
Mr
Makki believes the tension between the states are going to develop
“in the coming months”.
He
said: “The war is not going to die down, it is going to relocate
strategically to different areas.
“The
map of Syria is incredibly complicated from a military point of view.
“ISIS
never left, so there are still areas where they can make a
resurgence.
“The
fighting will basically move to the countryside, away from Damascus
and to the north.”
The
Washington Post reported Donald Trump is seeking a Saudi Arabia-led
coalition of Arab nations to replace US troops in Syria.
This
has added to fears of an escalation in Syria between the two
arch-rivals of Iran and the House of Saud.
But
speaking about the alleged plans, Mr Makki dismissed the idea,
saying: “If Saudi Arabia put any troops in Syria, the whole of the
country will turn against them.
“This
will play into Assad’s hands and will be such a good PR coup for
Iran.
“They
will be able to present themselves as the victims.”
The
journalist’s comments come after Pentagon chief said war between
Iran and Israel is “likely” because of Iran’s links with
Hezbollah, who are operating in the area.
He
said: "I can see how it might start, but I am not sure when or
where.
“Conflict
between the two countries in Syria is very likely… because Iran
continues to do its proxy work there through Hezbollah."
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