Syrian Defence Minister Fahd al-Freij admitted on Monday that the army was overstretched and had abandoned some outlying positions in order to save lives.

BBC: Middle East

The big wheel, which has had two previous extensions, was taken over by Dubai-based Freij Entertainment last year, which also operates wheels in other UK cities, including York, Manchester and Liverpool.

BBC: Wheel of Plymouth extension approved by planners

Fahd Jassem al-Freij responded to questions on why Syria wasn't retaliating against Israel by saying the strike was itself a retaliation after Israel's rebel proxies in Syria were repulsed by the Syrian army.

WSJ: Israel Indicates It Struck Syria Last Week