In a daring September operation, Israeli special forces dismantled a clandestine missile factory in Syria, suspected to be funded by Iran and aiding Hezbollah.
Fox News reported that the factory, embedded into a mountainside, was instrumental for Hezbollah's missile production aimed against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces successfully executed the raid involving its premier air unit, Shaldag, supported by over 100 soldiers and backed by various aircraft.
This tactical assault on the underground facility marked a significant stride in neutralizing threats posed by Hezbollah and its Iranian sponsors.
IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani highlighted the operation's complexity and importance, stating, "This is one of our most significant and complex special operations in recent years." The raid was executed without relying on airstrikes, owing to the factory's fortified underground location that was designed to withstand such attacks.
The facility was not only manufacturing long-range precision-guided missiles but also harbored vital information regarding Syria's chemical weapons program. Documents and notebooks seized during the raid revealed detailed chemical compositions and operational methods for missile production.
Constructed between the end of 2017 and 2021 with Iranian resources, this facility was strategically embedded into a mountainside to evade aerial detection and strikes. The design allowed for the annual production of 150 to 350 missiles, indicating its substantial role in regional conflicts.
The location of the factory near the Lebanese border underscored its strategic significance, directly linking it to Hezbollah's efforts to bolster its arsenal against Israel. Over the past year, Hezbollah has launched more than 17,000 projectiles toward Israeli territory, escalating tensions and highlighting the factory's role in these hostilities.
Information retrieved from the site included extensive details on the development and manufacturing of missiles, reaffirming the direct threat posed to Israel's security. The documents contained formulas and methodologies explicit in weapon manufacturing, emphasizing the advanced stage of chemical and missile technologies acquired by Hezbollah and its allies.
During the operation, the IDF forces encountered and neutralized 30 Syrian soldiers stationed to protect the facility. This action further underscores the direct involvement of Syrian military forces in supporting Hezbollah's operations against Israel.
Following the successful raid, the IDF ensured the complete dismantlement of the missile production facility, preventing its future use. Machines and equipment used in missile manufacturing were systematically destroyed, eliminating the immediate threat to Israel's national security.
The IDF also released footage showcasing the precision and scale of the operation, detailing the extent of the engagement and the tactical destruction of the facility. This visual evidence was provided to corroborate the strategic necessity and success of the raid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended the bravery and efficiency of the IDF personnel involved.
"I salute our heroic fighters for the daring and successful operation deep in Syria," Netanyahu stated, emphasizing the operation's significance in preventing further escalation and arms buildup by Hezbollah and its Iranian allies.
According to Amit Segal, chief political analyst of Israel's Channel 12, this operation is a pivotal moment in Israel's long-term strategy to handle threats from Iran and its proxies.
"The perception that Iran's regional influence was a mere annoyance has fundamentally changed," he noted, stressing the existential threats these factions pose to Israel.
Segal further elaborated on the broader implications, suggesting that actions like these could set the stage for more decisive confrontations aimed at neutralizing Iran's nuclear ambitions, a priority for Netanyahu's administration, which sees Iran's capabilities as a looming existential threat to Israel.