In a series of airstrikes on Syria, Israeli forces reportedly caused the deaths of at least 14 people, according to Syrian state media. Since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted numerous strikes within the country, though Israeli officials have declined to comment on the latest attack.
Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, quoted a medical source stating, “The number of martyrs resulting from the Israeli aggression on several sites near Masyaf has risen to 14, with 43 others injured, including six in critical condition.”
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported that the airstrikes resulted in 18 fatalities, including eight Syrian fighters, and injured 32 others. The observatory described the incident as a night of “intense Israeli strikes.”
Israel has carried out strikes targeting Syrian military positions and Iran-backed militias, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, since 2011. Although Israel rarely addresses individual strikes, its government has consistently stated it will not permit Iran, its regional rival, to expand its presence within Syria.
According to SANA, a military source reported that the air attack occurred “around 11:20 p.m. (2020 GMT) on Sunday,” with the Israeli forces launching missiles from the northwest of Lebanon toward various military installations in central Syria. Syrian air defenses reportedly intercepted some of the missiles.
The Observatory noted that the strikes targeted the Masyaf area in Hama province, hitting the scientific research center and other military sites. The strikes reportedly destroyed buildings and military installations, with the observatory suggesting that experts tied to weapons development and pro-Iran groups were stationed at the affected sites.
Missiles and Drones Targeted
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, described the attack as one of the most intense Israeli operations in Syria in recent years. He added that Iranian experts involved in developing precision missiles and drones were present at the research facility.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes. Spokesperson Nasser Kanani said during a media briefing, “We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil.”
Following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli air raids on Syria increased, although the frequency of these attacks lessened after an April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which was attributed to Israel.
Although Syria has sought to avoid involvement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, there are increasing concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. In late August, several pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Homs region. Days later, Israeli forces reportedly targeted Islamic Jihad fighters, a Hamas ally, in Syria near the Lebanese border.
Syria’s civil war began in 2011 when the government of President Bashar al-Assad violently suppressed a popular uprising. Over the years, the conflict has claimed more than 500,000 lives and drawn in foreign powers and jihadist groups. Throughout the war, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias have supported Assad’s regime. Israeli airstrikes have also aimed to disrupt Hezbollah’s supply lines to Lebanon.
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