Sure, by that token the US wasn’t really at war with Germany or Vietnam, it was at war with the Nazis and the Viet Cong. It’s a meaningless distinction to anyone actually affected by the wars.

Additionally, Israel bombed Damascus during Assad’s reign. Here’s one recent example (bombing an embassy building):

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_airstrike_on_the_Ira...

> no provocation

There’s a long history of violence in that region. To say that either side was “unprovoked” is a bit rich.

E.g https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Gaza%E2%80%93Israel_cla...