Israel Proactively Neutralizes Iranian Missile Threat in Syria
On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed details of a critical preemptive strike conducted by its elite special forces against an underground missile production facility in Syria back in September. This site, located near Masyaf along the Mediterranean coast, was identified as the central hub for Iran’s missile manufacturing efforts in the region, according to Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani.
“This facility was strategically designed to churn out hundreds of sophisticated missiles annually, tailored for Hezbollah’s use in aerial assaults against Israel,” explained Shoshani during a press briefing. He emphasized that the plant, embedded deep within a mountain since its construction in 2017, was on the brink of producing precision-guided missiles capable of striking targets up to 300 km away, posing an “immediate threat” to Israel’s security.
Shoshani confirmed this was the first official acknowledgment by the IDF of the operation, underscoring the complexity and significance of the mission. “This nighttime raid stands out as one of the most intricate operations executed by the IDF in recent times,” he stated, noting that the mission involved dozens of aircraft alongside approximately 100 troops transported by helicopter.
The raid resulted in the complete dismantling of the facility, with Israeli forces removing all critical machinery and manufacturing equipment to disable the site permanently. This was demonstrated in released footage where IDF soldiers were seen navigating through a concrete-lined tunnel and industrial area, inspecting documents, while other clips showed senior IDF commanders overseeing the operation from a control center.
The operation came at a time when Syrian state media reported that at least 16 individuals perished in related Israeli airstrikes in the western parts of Syria. Israel’s actions are part of a broader strategy to prevent the Assad regime, which had been teetering on the brink of collapse, from aiding Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group in Lebanon, with weapons transfers. This latest move by the IDF was essential in thwarting the potential arming of Israel’s adversaries, safeguarding not only Israeli citizens but also maintaining regional stability by preventing advanced weaponry from falling into the wrong hands.
This operation highlights Israel’s commitment to actively counter threats, ensuring its defense and deterrence against those who seek to destabilize the region through the proliferation of advanced weaponry from hostile entities like Iran and its proxies.
