Click to see the full-size image
Late on September 8, a series of Israeli strikes hit several sites in the Masyaf area of Hama Governorate in Syria’s central region. The airstrikes led to death of at least 16 people. 36 others were also wounded.
Four days after the attack, more details about the incident are beginning to emerge.
The Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, quoted a media close to the Syrian-militants, claiming that during the Israeli army’s airstrike in Masyaf, Israeli special forces carried out a heliborne operation inside Syria.
Israeli special forces allegedly confiscated important files and documents from a building south of Masyaf, and destroyed the scientific research building belonging to the Syrian army, where high-tech military industries are being developed with Iranian assistance.
Israeli media also claim that they nabbed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members from the area.
The report claimed that the Israeli army targeted the vehicles sent by the Syrian security forces to the incident site using suicide drones. Israeli aircraft targeted several roads in the area and cut off all the routes leading to the Syrian military research center to ensure the operation proceeded without any problems.
Satellite images confirm this claim. According to satellite images, at least four roads leading to the research center were bombed.
Click to see the full-size image
In addition to bombing the roads leading to the research center, an electric power plant in the north of Masyaf was also bombed. This attack caused widespread power outages in different areas of Masyaf. Communication infrastructures, fiber optic cables, and power transmission lines were also targeted in order to completely cut off communications.
The electric power plant that was attacked in the north of Masyaf
Also, on the night of the attack, local sources in al-Duraykish area in Tartus province heard the sound of helicopters flying at a low altitude. Speculations indicate that the Israeli special forces entered Syria from the Mediterranean Sea and the south side of Tartus and went to Masyaf.
(The alleged video, which is said to have been recorded by local people in al-Duraykish area. The sound of helicopters flying at low altitude can be heard)
Field reports indicate that vehicles near the research center or any activity capable of disrupting the operation were targeted.
Images of the targeting of vehicles, motorcycles, communication routes and electricity and internet cables on the night of the attack near the Syrian research center in Masyaf
All the mentioned cases indicate that this attack was carried out according to a detailed and premeditated plan.
Sources close to the Syrian government described the operation in Masyaf as “a complex military operation”, but strongly denied the Hebrew media claim regarding the kidnapping of Iranian forces, and called it a blatant lie.
A Syrian military source emphasized “Everything that the Hebrew and Western media published about the Masyaf operation came from the opposition Syrian TV, whose credibility rating is below zero. There is no Iranian facility in Masyaf, and there is absolutely no presence of the IRGC forces in the entire region, and the Syrians know this very well.”
“What happened in Masyaf was major and a “complex military operation.” We abide by the Syrian state’s decision not to circulate any details related to the incident,” he added.
Iranian media close to the IRGC also denied the Israeli claim. Iranian media stated “we (IRGC) did not have forces at the targeted site in Masyaf and we deny that we had any casualties or captures.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned the airstrikes but denied the presence of any Iran-operated military site in the area.
It is worth noting that Masyaf area has been targeted by Israel many times. This military base, which is identified as an alleged underground facility known as “Research Center 4000”, was also targeted in a series of Israeli airstrikes on March 12, 2023. The previous time, the airstrikes were also launched from Lebanon’s airspace.
Alleged underground facility
Nevertheless, the fact is that all the stories about the airdrop operation in Masyaf are currently just speculations. It is not possible to confirm this issue with certainty until more evidence is presented or reliable documents are published by either side.
If Israel’s claim is true, it is likely that Benjamin Netanyahu, who is now under intense pressure from public opinion and various political factions due to his cabinet’s disastrous performance, will make this story public in the coming days. He and Gallant face accusations of genocide for crimes in Gaza at the International Court of Justice and need to buy time for themselves with this show.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
