Possible Drone Strike in Eastern Syria Kills 7

Image copyright: Associated Press

The Facts

  • According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, seven people were killed and fifteen wounded in an explosion — thought to be a drone strike — in government-held Deir ez-Zor city in eastern Syria on Wednesday.

  • Syrian state media claimed that the explosion was caused by a landmine set by the Islamic State group (IS), which is active in eastern Syria, as opposed to an Israeli or US drone strike.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Israel has been clear that it will not permit Iran to freely move weapons and fighters through Syria if such activities threaten Israeli security. It is therefore legitimate for Israel to target Iranian assets in any of the countries into which Iran has dug its tentacles. Tehran is using the tragic earthquake as a cover to move weapons into Syria and, unfortunately, Israel must defend itself by responding to this kind of militaristic aggression.

Establishment-critical narrative

This is just another example of Israel's unjustified aggression toward Syria and the resistance as a whole. While the West continually lectures the world on national sovereignty, it says nothing when Israel attacks civilian infrastructure. Even as Syrians are being pulled from the rubble following a massive humanitarian disaster, Israel is continuing to bomb vulnerable regions.


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO