The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have announced the destruction of the majority of Syria’s strategic weapons reserves following a series of strikes over the past 48 hours. According to an IDF statement, the operations were conducted to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of terrorist elements amid the ongoing instability in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Key Details of the Strikes
The IDF disclosed that the strikes targeted several critical military assets across Syria. Among the most notable actions was a coordinated naval assault on two key Syrian ports: Al-Bayda and Latakia. Israeli naval vessels reportedly destroyed 15 Syrian naval ships moored in these locations, alongside numerous sea-to-sea missiles with ranges of 80 to 190 kilometres. These missiles, each capable of carrying significant explosive payloads, posed a direct threat to civilian and military maritime activities in the region.
In addition to the naval operations, the IDF carried out over 350 airstrikes targeting a broad spectrum of military facilities. Among the objectives were anti-aircraft batteries, Syrian Air Force airfields, and weapon production sites in cities such as Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra.
Strategic Arsenal Neutralised
The IDF highlighted the destruction of various categories of strategic weapons. These included Scud missiles, cruise missiles, ground-to-sea, ground-to-air, and ground-to-ground missiles, alongside drones, fighter jets, attack helicopters, radars, tanks, and other military infrastructure.
A statement from the IDF elaborated: “Numerous strategic assets were neutralised, including advanced missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and significant components of Syria’s air defence and offensive capabilities.”
Ground Operations
Complementing the air and naval assaults, Israeli ground forces also engaged in targeted strikes. The IDF’s Northern Command orchestrated airstrikes on 130 additional sites, including weapons depots, military installations, launch systems, and fire positions. These operations were designed to further degrade Syria’s capacity to project military power and reduce the risk of advanced weaponry being transferred to non-state actors.
Strategic Calculations and Regional Fallout
Israel’s recent strikes highlight its intent to pre-empt threats emerging from Syria’s ongoing instability. With the Assad regime no longer in control, Syria has become a fractured landscape where terrorist groups vie for advanced weaponry, raising security concerns for neighbouring states.
The extent of the damage inflicted remains unverified, but the scale of the operation reflects a calculated escalation in Israel’s approach to securing its borders. The IDF has not provided details on casualties or further specifics about the aftermath.
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