Israel vows to target Iran-backed militias in Golan Heights

Source: Xinhua| 2018-07-10 20:18:41|Editor: xuxin
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JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday that Israel will attack Iran-backed militias who are trying to establish "terror networks" in the Golan Heights near the disputed Syrian-Israeli border.

"We are identifying militants associated with the Iranian-Shiite axis attempting to establish terror infrastructure under the auspices of the Syrian regime," Lieberman said during a tour by Home Front Command officers in the Golan Heights.

"It is unacceptable, and we will act against any terror network in the area," he said, adding that Israel holds the Bashar Assad regime accountable and it will "exact a price" for cooperating with Iran's proxies.

Lieberman also repeated Israel's stance of preventing Syrian refugees from finding shelter in Israel.

"We are willing to provide humanitarian aid but do not agree to accept a single refugee into Israel," he said.

Earlier in July, the Israeli military provided tents and food to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who fled the battles between Assad's army and rebels in Daraa.

Israel has carried out several deadly airstrikes in Syria, claiming the strikes are aimed to halt Iran's attempts to establish a military presence in the war-torn country.

Israel also targets Syrian army positions in retaliation for errant fire that reaches Israel-annexed Golan Heights.

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