A series of strikes in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, all believed to involve Israel, have heightened tensions in the region, with the Syrian regime, Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias in Iraq all threatening retaliation, some of them denouncing the attacks as "declarations of war".
Here is a dated breakdown of the escalatory moves since July by the different sides involved in the recent crisis that threatens a new outbreak of conflict in the Middle East:
July 19 - Unidentified bombs fall on Iran-backed militia base north of Baghdad
July 30 - Strikes on Camp Ashraf in Iraq's Diyala Province
August 12 - Drone strike at Al Saqr military base in Iraq
August 20 - Strike on Popular Mobilisation Forces base near Balad, Iraq
August 21 - Iran-backed militias blame US and Israel for a series of attacks on their bases
August 24 - Israel strikes Iran's Quds Force in Syria to stop "killer drone" attack, killing five. Syrian anti-aircraft defences fire at "enemy targets" over Damascus.
August 25 - Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah says Israeli drone falls in its stronghold in south Beirut, second drone explodes after crashing.
August 25 - Lebanese PM Saad Hariri says Israeli drones threaten country's sovereignty. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says group will shoot down any more Israeli drones flying over Lebanese territory.
August 25 - Two Iraqi paramilitaries killed in drone attack near Iraq's western border with Syria, militias blame Israel for attack
August 26 - Israel strikes Palestinian faction the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command, loyal to Syrian government in eastern Lebanon
August 26 - Iraq coalition calls Israeli strikes a "declaration of war" and calls for withdrawal of US forces
