Israel Confirms Special Forces Raid on Underground Missile Production Site in Syria

On Thursday, Israel's military revealed that it had executed a special forces operation targeting an underground missile manufacturing site in Syria. This facility, located near Masyaf and considered a central hub for Iranian missile production efforts in the region, was reportedly set to produce hundreds of precision missiles intended for use by Hezbollah against Israel.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani described the site as being crucial for Hezbollah's capability to launch aerial attacks, pointing out that it had been under Israeli surveillance since it started construction in 2017. He noted that the facility was nearing operational readiness for making precision-guided missiles with ranges capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away, which was considered an immediate threat.

While details of the raid, which took place on September 8, were previously reported by Israeli media, this marks the first confirmation from the military, a move applauded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stated that the operation was among the most significant preventative actions taken against what he describes as the Iranian axis's attempts to arm itself for attacks against Israel.

The raid was characterized by its complexity, involving airstrikes and a substantial force of approximately 100 troops delivered via helicopter. At the end of this operation, the soldiers dismantled various components of the facility, including its machinery.

Footage released by the military showcased various aspects of the operation, showing troops entering and exiting helicopters and traversing what seemed to be a fortified industrial site. Israeli officials have long accused the Syrian government of aiding Hezbollah in acquiring arms from Iran, and Israel remains committed to disrupting weapon supplies intended for the militant group in Lebanon. Following the turmoil in Assad’s administration, Israel executed multiple strikes against military infrastructure in Syria to ensure crucial weapons did not fall into hostile hands.