Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple sites in Syria’s central region on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of five civilians and leaving 19 others injured, some critically, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA. The raids struck several locations around the city of Masyaf in the Hama countryside, causing widespread damage, including fires and disruptions to transportation.
Faisal Haidar, the director of Masyaf’s National Hospital, confirmed that the death toll had risen to five, and the injured were being treated for serious injuries. The airstrikes also caused significant damage to the Masyaf-Wadi al-Uyun highway, and a large fire broke out in the nearby Hair Abbas area. Firefighting teams were deployed to control the blaze.
The attacks, which occurred in several waves, struck military sites and other sensitive locations across the Hama and Tartous countryside, with explosions heard throughout the central region. SANA reported that investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the strikes. Assad regime media outlets confirmed the blasts and stated that air defenses were activated to confront the incoming missiles.
The pro-regime outlet Athar Press reported “material damage” in Tartous, where falling shrapnel from intercepted missiles caused destruction in the Al-Majd suburb. The website also confirmed that the strikes targeted military points in the western and northeastern Hama countryside.
Local media outlet Sawt Al-Asima reported that the bombing specifically hit a Scientific Research Center in Masyaf, along with other military sites. Ambulances were seen rushing to the affected areas shortly after the strikes.
This latest attack marks a continuation of Israeli airstrikes on Syria, which have escalated in recent months. Explosions were reported not only in Masyaf but also in the cities of Homs, Salamiyah, and Tartous, where air defenses intercepted several missiles from the Mediterranean Sea.
Pro-regime sources described the raids as “massive,” with multiple targets hit across the region. The strikes also caused a large fire to erupt along the Masyaf-Wadi Al-Uyun road, contributing to the chaos on the ground. Israel has yet to comment on or confirm the attack. Israeli airstrikes in Syria typically target Iranian-backed militias and Hezbollah assets, though they rarely acknowledge the operations publicly.
This raid follows a series of Israeli strikes targeting military infrastructure in Syria. Assad’s Ministry of Information confirmed that air defenses had intercepted several missiles, and images circulating on social media showed fragments of the intercepted missiles falling into civilian areas, causing additional damage.
Syria has seen frequent Israeli strikes over the past decade, largely targeting military sites associated with Iran-backed forces. Israel views the presence of these militias, particularly Hezbollah, as a direct threat to its security and has consistently acted to counter their buildup in Syria. In this latest wave of strikes, the death toll is expected to rise as emergency teams continue to assess the damage.
