New episode of Iran-Israel showdown unfolding in Syria

The latest Israeli airstrike on Iranian bases in Rif-Dimashq province, Syria, was the latest episode in a series of military confrontations between the two sides on Arab land.

The targeted area contained the weapons and ammunition warehouses of pro-Iranian militias, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The observatory said the area also contained the headquarters of the Fourth Division.

The latest airstrikes came after a similar attack on Saturday, in which five pro-Iran elements were killed by Israeli missiles.

The missiles were fired in Rif-Dimashq province as well.

On the ground                   

Israeli airstrikes usually target Iranian militia sites. They destroy these sites, which include weapons, ammunitions and missiles warehouses.

The latest strikes took place after Russia gave Israel the green light. Moscow does not usually object to Israeli attacks against Tehran's militias in Syria. It rather considers these attacks an important factor for limiting Iranian influence in Syria.

Conflicts between the Iranian and Russian strategies in Syria created rivalries between the two countries.

Russia and Iran have divergent economic interests in Syria as well.

Russia is always mum on Israeli attacks in Syria. Armed groups loyal to Tehran, on the other hand, are keen to gain a foothold in Latakia province. This triggered confrontations between the two sides.

Israel often carries out strikes in Syria without announcing them. Nonetheless, the Israeli army stated in its annual report that during 2021, it bombed about 50 targets in Syria.

Tel Aviv has always repeated that it will continue to confront what it describes as Iran's attempts to establish military presence in Syria.