Report: Syria Threatens to Fire SCUD Missiles at Israel - Israel Today

Report: Syria Threatens to Fire SCUD Missiles at Israel

Thursday, April 06, 2017 |  Israel Today Staff

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Syria

The regime of embattled Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has reportedly threatened to fire SCUD missiles at Israel if it carries out any more strikes on Syrian soil.

Since the start of the Syrian civil war, Israel is believed to have struck select targets in Syria on several occasions. Most often, the targets were dangerous weapons shipments to the Hezbollah terrorist militia, which is allied with Assad.

Israeli forces have also returned fire into Syria numerous times following artillery attacks on the Golan Heights by rebel groups.

In a message to Israel reported in the Lebanese outlet Al-Diyar, the Assad regime warned: “Syria could retaliate against Israel by firing Scud missiles should the latter strike Syria one more time.”

Syria is estimated to have upwards of 800 SCUD missiles, each capable of delivering a payload of half a ton of explosives in the best scenario, and chemical warheads in the worst.

Most believe Syria’s other ally, Russia, would prevent Assad from attacking Israel. But as a last ditch effort to hang on to power, such an attack cannot be easily dismissed.

PHOTO: Israel has deployed Patriot anti-missile batteries to its northern border to defend against potential Syrian and Hezbollah attacks. Photo by Gili Yaari /Flash 90

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