Iran launches drones towards Israel in response to attack on its consulate in Syria
First Published: 14th April, 2024 10:21 IST
The IRGC says it will hit specific targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles, apparently cruise missiles.
In a major escalation amid the ongoing military offensive on Hamas in Gaza, Iran launched several drones and missiles towards Israel in retaliation to the air strike on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the killing of three top generals, The Times of Israel reported.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement confirming its launch of an attack on Israel, saying it was in response to the Israel Defence Force’s (IDF) strike on a consular compound in Damascus in which several IRGC members were killed, including two generals, earlier this month.
The IRGC says it will hit specific targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles, apparently cruise missiles.
This comes nearly two weeks after Israel carried out an air strike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, killing seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including three top generals.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also confirmed the launch of Iranian drones towards their territory, saying they were on high alert.
“Iran launched UAVs from its territory towards the territory of the state of Israel,” Israel’s army’s spokesman, Daniel Hagari, said late on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported.
“We are on high alert and ready,” he added, speaking in a televised address, saying the drones would take several hours before reaching Israel’s airspace.
The Times of Israel reported the launch of Tehran’s promised reprisal for the consulate strike, citing viral footage circulating on social media, purportedly showing an Iranian Shahed 136 drone streaking the skies over Iraq en-route to Israel.
Israel has been on heightened alert since its strike on Damascus on April 1, while not issuing any public or official statement on the attack.
Iran vowed revenge, raising fears of a further escalation in tensions in West Asia amid the fierce offensive on Hamas in response to the terror attacks in southern Israel on October 7, last year.
Earlier, on Saturday, Iranian armed forces seized a container ship linked to Israel near the Strait of Hormuz.
Responding to the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was prepared for a “direct attack from Iran”.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was “closely monitoring a planned attack” against it by Iran and its allies in the region. (ANI)
Also Read: Jordan, Iraq close airspace amid fears of Iranian counter-strike on Israel
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Israel airstrikes southern Syria, killing 2 and injuring 19
18th March 2025
Live Over 33,000 Myanmar Refugees Taking Shelter in Mizoram: State Home Minister K Sapdanga
17th March 2025
Live GST Superintendent Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances in North Tripura
17th March 2025
Live Inaugural Ceremony of Assam’s first-ever U-23 National Basketball Championship Held in Guwahati
17th March 2025
WE RECOMMEND
Israel airstrikes southern Syria, killing 2 and injuring 19
The army further stated that it "will not allow the presence of military threats in southern Syria and will operate against it."
18th March 2025
Nepali Student’s Fiery Speech About Country’s Future Goes Viral Worldwide, Gets Likened to Adolf Hitler
Ora’s speech continues to ignite discussions online, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.
17th March 2025
MHA seeks umbrella probe in cases of illegal Bangladeshi nationals
In a special operation, Delhi Police arrested more than 20 Bangladeshi nationals who were residing illegally in the national capital.
16th March 2025
SpaceX, NASA launch mission to bring back astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore from ISS
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the ISS for nine months after reaching there in June last year.
15th March 2025
“We agree to ceasefire, but…”: Putin thanks Trump, PM Modi for efforts to resolve Ukraine conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public remarks on Ukraine‘s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts in addressing the conflict.Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin said that Russia agrees with […]
14th March 2025