Syrian army source: US attack on Syria would justify retaliation against Israel; Iran also warns against explosive repercussions of strike. Syria and Iran on Tuesday threatened to attack Israel in retaliation for any Western military action, with some reports indicating strikes against the regime could begin later this week. A senior Syrian army source told Iran’s Fars News Agency on Tuesday that a full-scale US attack on Syria would justify an attack on the Jewish state. “If Damascus comes under attack, Tel Aviv will be targeted too and a full-scale war against Syria will actually issue a license for attacking Israel,” the Syrian army source said. “If Syria is attacked, Israel will also be set on fire and such an attack will, in turn, engage Syria’s neighbors,” he added. “Thus, a US attack on Syria will herald frequent strikes and attacks on Israel, not just by Damascus and its allies in retaliation, but by extremist groups.” Hossein Sheikholeslam, an advisor to the Iranian parliament speaker, warned the US against military action on Tuesday, saying Syria’s response is “unpredictable.” “A US attack on Syria is not wise, particularly considering the issue that it would happen in a region that is like a powder keg, and Syria’s reaction to the air strike by the US or NATO is unpredictable,” Sheikholeslam told Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday. He also said that air attacks would not be enough and that a ground invasion would be risky. ~ ARIEL BEN SOLOMON, REUTERS
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:21:11 +0000