Link to Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/13/israel-strikes-syrias-west-coast-killing-soldiers-and-wounding-six
Israel has repeatedly attacked Syria, for fear that the increasing presence of Iranian forces there is a direct threat to their national security. Recently, they launched an air attack along the Syrian coast, killing two soldiers and leaving six others wounded. This was their first attack since August 28, when an air raid rendered a runway of the international airport in Aleppo unserviceable. This government-run airport, alongside the one in the Syrian capital of Damascus, has been made a constant target by the Israeli forces. Israel has failed thus far to make an official comment on these attacks, but their rationale is relatively transparent.
Israel feels threatened by the weapons and protection that Iran has offered, and continues to offer Syria. For this reason, they continually prey on Iranian groups in Syria and the airports. For if planes cannot travel, then weapons cannot be transported. They have also previously launched an attack on a weapons depot owned by the Hezbollah group. This Lebanese group, both political and militant, has considered Israel to be its greatest enemy since the country occupied southern Lebanon decades ago. Thus, the group remains an ally of Syria and continues to suffer attacks. Similarly, a Russian naval base along the Syrian coast was attacked. As Syria and Russia have close economic ties, the Russians are too an Israeli target. Since Russia is currently occupied with the war in Ukraine, it is unlikely that they will increase their military presence in Syria. However, it is likely that Iran and the Hezbollah group will offer more support as the conflict intensifies. Particularly Iran, as this war between Syria and Israel serves as a proxy for the war between Iran and Israel. The conflict there stems from Iranian support of Hezbollah and Israeli connections to Iranian enemies like the United States and Saudi Arabia.
In class, we have discussed the influence of global actors of both the state and non-state varieties. Particularly interesting to me in this scenario was the potential for influence held by the Hezbollah group as a non-state actor. Despite being separate from the Lebanese government, the Hezbollah group is actively engaged in war and is influential in that domain. For, had they never been involved, the outcome would have been completely different. The conflict between Iran and Israel may not have been so intense, and in turn, the current war between Syria and Israel may not have been so severe. This situation is a great example of how the state and non-state actors work in tandem with one another to govern international relations.