Israel retaliates against Syrian airstrike

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This file image made from a video aired Jan. 7, 2005, by Israeli television station Channel 10, shows what the television station claims is Israel's top secret nuclear facility in the southern Israeli town of Dimona. Associated Press/ Channel 10

Israel retaliates against Syrian airstrike

A Syrian missile struck southern Israel on Thursday, triggering warning sirens near the country’s secretive nuclear reactor. The alarms went off in the village of Abu Krinat, a few miles from Dimona, where the nuclear reactor is located. Syria’s state-run SANA news agency later reported its air defense intercepted most of the retaliatory missiles from Israel’s Golan Heights that struck near Damascus, injuring four soldiers.

What caused the airstrike? It comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, which has troops in Syria. Iran has accused Israel of multiple targets on its nuclear facilities, the latest on April 11 that hit its Natanz nuclear facility. Iran did not comment on the Thursday strike in Israel.

Dig deeper: Read Kent Covington’s report in The Sift on the blackout at Natanz.

Onize Ohikere

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks