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Israeli Special Forces Conduct High-Stakes Operation Against Hezbollah Missile Facility in Syria

Israeli Special Forces Conduct High-Stakes Operation Against Hezbollah Missile Facility in Syria
Friday 13 September 2024 - 15:00
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In a bold maneuver, Israeli special forces reportedly executed a raid on a missile production facility linked to Hezbollah in Syria, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. While the Israeli government has remained tight-lipped about the operation, U.S. media outlets have begun to unveil details of the event, which is said to have occurred earlier this week.

According to Syrian state media, the raid, which took place near the city of Masyaf, approximately 25 miles north of the Lebanese border—resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals and left several dozen others injured. The New York Times reported that Israeli operatives descended from helicopters, strategically placed explosives within the Iranian-built facility, and extracted sensitive intelligence.

Sources cited by the Times describe the operation as audacious, aimed at dismantling an underground military site. To facilitate this, air strikes were reportedly employed to neutralize Syrian defenses and thwart any potential reinforcements from reaching the location.

Further insights from Axios, referencing three informed sources, indicate that the elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Force was responsible for the operation. Notably, Israel is said to have notified the United States prior to the raid, receiving no objections from the White House.

While the BBC has yet to independently verify these accounts, the operation appears to be a strategic effort to impede Iran's ability to supply precision missiles to Hezbollah, its Lebanese ally. This raid follows a similar attack on the facility six years ago and is part of a broader pattern of Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets since the onset of the Gaza conflict nearly a year ago.

The deployment of Israeli ground troops within Syria is a rare occurrence, underscoring the complexity and sophistication of this operation. Just last Sunday, Israeli air strikes reportedly killed 18 individuals at various military sites in the Masyaf area, as confirmed by the Syrian health minister.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October, Israeli military actions have intensified in response to cross-border assaults from Hezbollah and other factions in Lebanon and Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring organization, reports that Israeli air and artillery strikes have targeted Syrian territory over 60 times this year alone, resulting in significant damage to approximately 140 sites, including weapons depots and militia headquarters.

The monitoring group further indicates that these strikes have claimed the lives of at least 208 fighters, including members of Syrian government forces, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, alongside 22 civilian casualties.

As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of this operation resonate beyond the immediate conflict, highlighting the intricate web of alliances and hostilities that define the region.


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