IDF Confirms Raid on Site in Syria Controlled by Assad Regime in September
The Israeli military confirmed that they had raided an underground missile manufacturing site in Syria before the fall of the Assad regime. Israeli intelligence had been monitoring the Iranian manufacturing plant since 2017. The site was close to becoming operational and posed an immediate threat, as it was intended to produce precision-guided long-range missiles for Hezbollah. The raid, which occurred on the night of Sept. 8–9, involved special forces, the navy, and the air force, with air strikes accompanying the operation.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, stated that the troops dismantled the facility after the raid to ensure Israel’s safety. The facility was located near Masyaf, in Hama province, north of Lebanon. Israel had previously accused the Assad regime of assisting Hezbollah in obtaining arms from Iran.
The IDF released a video of the mission, showing armed troops moving through the underground facility. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi briefed soldiers of the elite Shaldag unit before the raid, highlighting the risks and benefits of the operation.
Halevi emphasized the threat posed by the missile plant and the importance of preventing the missiles from reaching hostile hands. He expressed confidence in the mission’s success and praised the high level of preparedness of the troops involved.
The IDF had conducted airstrikes in Syria before the fall of the Assad regime and continued to target military sites to prevent arms shipments to rebels. Syrian media reported casualties from Israeli airstrikes in September. Halevi stressed the need to disrupt the transfer of missiles that could threaten Israel’s security.
Reuters contributed to this report.
