An independent U.N. commission says Israel has intensified airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, inflicting civilian casualties on at least three occasions.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a suspected Israeli attack on Syria, Venezuela ’s former opposition candidate fleeing to Spain, and a devastating storm in Vietnam.

Israel has pledged to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria, viewing the country as a crucial corridor for Iran to supply weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.