Syria: Israeli Strike a 'Declaration of War'

Syria is firing back figuratively at Israel after airstrikes today struck targets in and around Damascus, calling the attack "a declaration of war. This is not something that is (new)," a deputy foreign minister reports CNN. "We dealt with this on several occasions, and the retaliation was always painful to Israel, and they will suffer again." A statement from the foreign ministry later blamed Israel for "the terrorist acts which Syria is witnessing," adds the BBC.

Israel itself isn't commenting, but it has shut down airspace along its northern border and deployed missile defenses to the region. The attack has drawn criticism from the Arab world, with Egypt saying Israel had "violated international law and principles," while the Arab League called on the UN Security Council to "act immediately" to stop it. (More Syria stories.)