Syria

The decision is in violation of at least two UN Security Council resolutions and comes weeks ahead of a crucial election in Israel where embattled prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing multiple corruption charges

The decision to maintain some military presence in Syria is seen as a move aimed at protecting Kurdish groups aligned with the United States and a possible establishment of “safe zones” along the country’s northern border with Turkey.

While most of the Israeli missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense, some missiles hit infrastructure near the airport. Israel claimed it was targeting Iranian forces

The confusion in the US establishment over withdrawing from Syria and the fate of the Kurds continued with president Trump, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton all making statements with differing import

According to reports, the Israeli offensive threatened the safety of two civilian airliners which were landing at airports in Damascus and Beirut at the time.

While sections of the US establishment are calling Trump’s decision that of a maverick, it is in fact a reflection of the realities on the ground and an attempt to salvage relations with Turkey