Syria's new rulers face unprecedented criticism as Israel uses air space to attack Iran

Defence affairs - middle east monitor

Syria's new government is facing mounting criticism at home over its failure to condemn Israel for violating its air space to attack Iran, with Syrians demanding Damascus leverage its growing diplomatic relations and call for a halt to the breaches.

For a fifth consecutive day, Syrians have looked to the skies, watching as Israeli jets roar high above the clouds as the thuds from explosions bellow out - signs that Iranian drones and missiles have apparently been intercepted by US weaponry over Syria.

While social media has been awash with sarcastic commentary about the hostilities between Israel and Iran - two nations many Syrian revolutionaries view as enemies - the reality on the ground has been marked by anxiety and fear, especially in Syria's southern provinces near the Israeli border.

Emad al-Basiri, an activist based in Daraa province, told Middle East Eye that fragments from drones and missiles have repeatedly fallen on residential areas, causing widespread alarm.

"People are extremely tense," Basiri said.

"The explosions are terrifying. Drones crashing down have destroyed homes and caused agricultural fires," he added.

Israel's large-scale assault, which began on 13 June and has targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, has not lost momentum. 

Iran has suffered the losses of its top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Hundreds of civilians have also been killed. 

In retaliation, the Islamic Republic has fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel, causing widespread devastation in the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, and the deaths of dozens.