Israeli airstrikes in Syria attacked a chemical weapons research facility on a Sunday night. As a result of the attacks, there were several injuries and damages in the Masyaf region. Reports from the area indicate that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least sixteen people and injured thirty-six others. Six of the wounded people are in critical state. Witnesses claimed to have heard many explosions shortly before midnight, followed by ambulances.
The intended target was the Syrian Military Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC). Western countries previously linked this center to chemical weapons production. The strikes targeted the SSRC and nearby buildings, causing numerous explosions. According to the Syrian official news agency, there was damage to the Wadi al-Uyun highway in Masyaf, and there is now a fire that firefighters are attempting to contain.
The Israel Defense Forces have not commented on the airstrikes in line with their policy of not commenting on issues that are published in international media. Local sources claim that the Syrian air defenses intercepted some incoming missiles. The bombs are thought to be a component of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant organization that has played a significant role in the Syrian civil war. The Israeli military has contributed significantly to the fighting.
Western intelligence agencies have previously penalized SSRC employees whom they suspect were involved in creating chemical weapons. Despite Syrian official assurances to the contrary, Israeli airstrikes have frequently targeted the facility. Israel accuses the SSRC of producing advanced weapons for Iran and Hezbollah, two groups it considers to be significant threats. Israeli airstrikes in Syria have brought attention to the region’s fragile state and the strained relations between Hezbollah, Israel, and Syria. The attack on the SSRC highlights the intricate dynamics and ongoing fighting affecting the region.
