A series of alleged Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites in Assad-controlled areas of Syria on Sunday night, leaving at least 16 people dead and 36 others injured, according to Syrian state media. The strikes, which occurred near the city of Masyaf in Hama Governorate, caused extensive damage to military infrastructure and surrounding areas, cutting off roads, electricity, and internet access.
While the Assad regime has remained largely silent about the specifics of the attack, two intelligence sources told Reuters that the strikes targeted a major military research center used for developing chemical weapons. The facility, located near Masyaf, is believed to include a team of Iranian experts involved in weapons development.
The target of the Israeli strikes, according to intelligence sources, has long been a key military research hub with connections to both Iran and Hezbollah. Dr. Abdullah Al-Asaad, Director of the Rasd Center for Strategic Studies, noted that the facility was originally built by North Korea in the 1970s and has since been repurposed as a key site for missile and weapons development.
Iran has reportedly strengthened its presence in the area, using the center for producing and modifying medium and short-range missiles, as well as testing drones. Local observers believe that Israeli airstrikes aim to prevent Iran and Hezbollah from gaining further military capabilities in Syria, as both groups have expanded their operations in the region amid the ongoing Syrian conflict.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry quickly denied that any Iranian facilities were hit. Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the strikes as a “criminal attack” by the “Zionist entity,” asserting that Israel is attempting to link Iran to the strikes in an effort to “escape from reality.” Kanaani further criticized Israel, calling it a “cancerous tumor” in the region, and called on international bodies to condemn Israel’s actions.
The Israeli government, as is typical, did not comment on the strikes. Kanaani specifically called on arms suppliers like the United States and Germany to cease their support for Israel, linking the airstrikes to broader Israeli actions in Gaza and other parts of the region.
These airstrikes marked an escalation in the frequency and intensity of Israeli military operations in Syria. Unlike previous attacks, which usually involved isolated strikes, this attack came in successive waves, hitting multiple locations.
Syria’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the attacks, stating that Israel launched the strikes from the direction of northwestern Lebanon. The Ministry added that air defenses were activated and intercepted some missiles but did not elaborate on the extent of the damage or the targets hit.
Since 2017, Israel has launched more than 400 airstrikes on Syrian military targets to prevent the entrenchment of Iranian forces. The latest attacks are seen as an intensification of this effort. Assad regime forces and Iranian-backed militias continue to bolster their military presence in the targeted areas, while Israel remains committed to curbing Iranian influence near its borders.
