Israeli fighter jets strike more than 100 targets in Syria: reports

DAMASCUS,— Israel launched over 100 airstrikes across Syria in recent days, targeting military sites linked to the Assad regime.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and the Associated Press, these strikes aimed to weaken Syria’s military capabilities and prevent weapons from falling into the hands of hostile Islamist groups.

The air raids, which hit four major cities in Syria, caused significant damage to key military infrastructure. The targets included weapons depots, military airports, aircraft squadrons, and research facilities, such as the Barzeh Scientific Research Center in Damascus, which has been previously linked to chemical weapons production.

The strikes also disabled Syrian air defense systems, leaving several sites inoperable.

Islamist-led rebel forces took control of the Syrian capital on Sunday, bringing an end to more than fifty years of Assad family rule.

Among the key locations hit were three major airports in Homs, Qamishlo in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), and Damascus. In the coastal city of Latakia, airstrikes damaged Syrian air defense installations, naval vessels, and warehouses near the port.

Meanwhile, in southwestern Syria, the strikes targeted military positions and storage sites in Daraa, resulting in at least two deaths.

The attacks, which took place over multiple days, come amid growing concerns that Syria’s military assets, including chemical weapons, could fall into the hands of various rebel groups.

Israel strikes military airports in Syria, December 9, 2024. Photo: AFP

The SOHR noted that Syria’s military, which has received support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, has developed significant capabilities over the years. With Islamist rebel groups now gaining more territory, the fear is that these weapons could be used against Israel or other neighboring countries.

Israel’s military has not confirmed the strikes, but Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, said on Monday that the operations were aimed at preventing the use of chemical weapons and long-range rockets by hostile factions.

Israel’s concerns are largely based on the possibility of these weapons falling into the hands of extremist groups, including Sunni Islamic rebels.

The Barzeh Scientific Research Center, which has been a target in the past, was reportedly struck again during the latest round of attacks. This facility has been suspected of producing chemical weapons and long-range missiles for the Assad regime. According to sources, explosions were heard near the site, and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the area.

Israel reportedly struck the Al-Maruhiyat airport in the Aqraba area of Damascus on Monday evening. This attack resulted in the destruction of military helicopters and additional damage to the region’s infrastructure.

Reports from the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network suggest that the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, a site with ties to Iranian missile production, was also destroyed in the airstrikes.

As tensions in Syria continue to rise, Israel has stepped up its airstrikes to prevent the spread of dangerous military assets in the region.

The ongoing conflict, which has seen the Assad regime receiving support from foreign powers, has created an environment where military equipment and weapons are increasingly at risk of being seized or repurposed by rebel factions. This instability has led to heightened concerns about the potential for these weapons to be used against Israel in the future.

(with files from AP | Agencies)