Israel Intercepts Yemeni Missile, Strikes Smuggling Routes; Rebels Advance in Syria, Russia and Iran Evacuate Citizens

The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on weapon-smuggling routes used by the Hezbollah which were located near the Syrian-Lebanese border.

MIDDLE EAST - The Israeli military announced that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it could enter Israeli airspace. According to the IDF, "A short while ago, a missile fired from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF. The missile was intercepted prior to crossing into Israeli territory and no sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol".

Israeli military map of weapon-smuggling routes used by the Hezbollah located near the Syrian-Lebanese border

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Additionally, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on weapon-smuggling routes used by the Hezbollah which were located near the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Regarding the situation in Syria, rebels continue to advance leading Russia to call on its citizens to evacuate the country, and Iran to begin evacuating its senior IRGC commanders and other officials as 370,000 people have now been displaced in the country due to the recent escalated fighting between the rebels and Syrian military.

Rebel forces have taken the northwestern cities of Aleppo and Hama, and on Friday, the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor . The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that, “Tens of thousands of people have arrived in north-east Syria".

As rebels advanced on the cities Iran announced the evacuations of IRGC Quds Force commanders and officials, as well as staff at the Iranian Embassy in Damascus were being told to evacuate. Israeli media is reporting that some Iranian civilians are also being evacuated.

The Russian Embassy in Syria released a statement urging its citizens to evacuate and reminded them “of the opportunity of leaving the country on commercial flights through operating airports," due to "the difficult military and political situation in Syria".

Lebanon released a statement on Friday saying that it is closing all land borders with neighboring country Syria except for the one that connects its capital Beirut with the Syrian capital of Damascus.

Israel has also said that it is reinforcing its aerial and ground forces in the Goland Heights region, and Jordan has also decided to close a border with Syria, according to the Jordanian Interior Ministry on Friday.

Also on Friday, Russia and Syria carried out joint strikes on rebel locations north and south of Hama with airstrikes, missiles and artillery.

Overnight Strikes By Israeli Military On Smuggling Routes Near Syria, Russian Response To Escalating Situation In The Country