The Syrian war has taken a new turn with the downing of an Israeli fighter jet conducting airstrikes against Iranian targets. The incident signals the beginning of a direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran on Syrian soil. Combustible elements to ignite an Israeli-Iranian war are now in place in Syria. The intervention of Iranian troops and their Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, together with Russian troops has so far saved and emboldened the Syrian regime. Israel, in war with Hezbollah for more than 30 years, considers Iranian military presence in Syria a casus belli.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 13, 2018 15:22 UTC