An elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a rare ground operation in Syria earlier this week, destroying an underground missile production facility that Israel and the U.S. allege was constructed by Iran. The operation marked a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iranian-linked forces in the region, according to three sources briefed on the event.

 

The raid is notable as Israeli military activity in Syria has largely been restricted to airstrikes, which have increased since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Cross-border skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel have also intensified during this period. However, the ground assault on Sunday was the first of its kind in recent years targeting Iranian interests in Syria, underscoring the strategic importance of the operation. The missile factory’s destruction is seen as a major setback to Iran and Hezbollah’s efforts to manufacture precision-guided medium-range missiles within Syrian territory.

 

The Israeli government has remained silent on the raid and has not claimed responsibility, likely to avoid provoking direct retaliation from Syria, Iran, or Hezbollah. Official spokespeople for the IDF, Israel's Ministry of Defense, and the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the incident. 

 

Syrian state media and opposition sources reported heavy airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force on Sunday night, targeting several locations in western Syria, including areas near the city of Masyaf, close to the Lebanese border. According to Syrian state reports, the strikes killed at least 16 people and injured 40 others, labeling the attacks as “blatant aggression.” Iran’s foreign ministry also condemned the strikes, calling them “criminal.”

 

On Wednesday, Syrian opposition media and Greek Middle East expert Eva J. Koulouriotis suggested the airstrikes were a cover for a ground operation by Israel in Masyaf. Three sources confirmed that the Israeli Air Force’s elite Shaldag unit was involved, destroying the underground missile facility during the raid. 

 

According to two sources, Israel informed the Biden administration about the sensitive mission in advance, and the U.S. did not oppose the action. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.

 

During the raid, Israeli special forces reportedly caught Syrian guards by surprise, killing several of them. However, no Iranians or Hezbollah militants were harmed in the operation, according to one source. The special forces used explosives brought with them to destroy the facility and its machinery from within. The simultaneous airstrikes were intended to prevent the Syrian military from reinforcing the area.

 

Two sources with direct knowledge revealed that Iran, in coordination with Hezbollah and Syria, began constructing the underground missile production site in 2018 after previous Israeli airstrikes had severely damaged Iran’s above-ground missile infrastructure in Syria. By building the factory deep inside a mountain near Masyaf, Iran aimed to shield the facility from further airstrikes and ensure rapid, secure delivery of missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

 

Israeli intelligence services, aware of the project since its inception, monitored the factory’s development under the codename “Deep Layer” for over five years. Realizing that an airstrike alone would be insufficient to destroy the underground facility, Israeli military planners determined that a ground operation was necessary. The operation had been considered at least twice in previous years but was not approved due to the high risks involved. 

 

The successful raid marks a bold tactical shift for Israel, highlighting the lengths it is willing to go to prevent the establishment of advanced missile capabilities by Iran and its allies in Syria.

 

Watch the moment Israeli forces Blew up the facility.

 

 

Credit: AXIOS 2024-09-14

 

 

 

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Wow!

40 minutes ago, Tug said:

Wow!

To me Israel has the best when it come to spying, rescue, and destroying enemy sites.  Could do more if they could trust our Government.  All of the top players are anti-Semitic.

Well played. I hope that they are prepared for the retaliation. You know that it’s going to happen. 

Why doesn't the west assist Israel in destroying these kind of things?  What are they afraid of, losing trade with Iran?

4 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Why doesn't the west assist Israel in destroying these kind of things?  What are they afraid of, losing trade with Iran?

Democrats would rather assist iran it seems

Good Job.

Not only for Israel, but also for Ukraine.

As Poo-tin is known to rely on them for rockets/missiles supply to sustain his  evil act of invasion.

 

 

Edited September 14, 20241 yr by black tabby12345

30 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Why doesn't the west assist Israel in destroying these kind of things?  What are they afraid of, losing trade with Iran?

 

They won't tell even if they really do.

That's diplomacy.

Need not to disclose unless they are benefited to do so.

How did the Israel insert their team couldn’t be by air the weight of their gigantic balls would be 2 great!👍 

34 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Why doesn't the west assist Israel in destroying these kind of things?  What are they afraid of, losing trade with Iran?

I don’t think Israel needs any help

15 minutes ago, Tug said:

How did the Israel insert their team couldn’t be by air the weight of their gigantic balls would be 2 great!👍 

 

In 1960s, Mossad(Israeli Intelligence Agency) agent infiltrated deep into Syrian and Egyptian governments.

Namely Eli Cohen and Wolfgang Lotz.

So it must be pretty easy for them to dispatch sabotagers to blow up enemy's munition factory.

3 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Democrats would rather assist iran it seems

We don’t support Putin like your side does , Publicly , you re  all Putin Fangirls , Republicans for Putin , who would believe the New Republican Party would side with Russia 

3 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Democrats would rather assist iran it seems

How many Putin Asset's are in Congress and USA Govt 

5 minutes ago, Irish star said:

We don’t support Putin like your side does , Publicly , you re  all Putin Fangirls , Republicans for Putin , who would believe the New Republican Party would side with Russia 

 

   Couldn't you Republicans and Democrats keep your squabbles out of this thread  this thread , squabbles  about USA politics? 

   This is a thread about Israel and Iran/Syria

Edited September 14, 20241 yr by Nick Carter icp

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Couldn't you Republicans and Democrats keep your squabbles out of this thread  this thread , squabbles  about USA politics? 

   This is a thread about Israel and Iran/Syria

Another former Mall Cop pushing his authority 55555

1 minute ago, Irish star said:

Another former Mall Cop pushing his authority 55555

 

Why the abuse ? I simply requested that you keep on topic and keep your Biden/Trump squabbles in relevant threads and not to turn every thread into a Republican/Democrat fight .

   Irishstar on a Thai forum in a thread about Israel/Iran going on about American politics !!!!!!

so Israel can bomb Syria with the backing of the US and you lot say nothing. 

2 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

so Israel can bomb Syria with the backing of the US and you lot say nothing. 

 

  I say well done to Israel for destroying Iranian bombs .

Israel was defending itself from those Iranian bombs landing on Israel and killing Isreais .

   Pre-emptive strikes, I think that they are called .

 

      *But whatabout if blah blah blah*

5 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  I say well done to Israel for destroying Iranian bombs .

Israel was defending itself from those Iranian bombs landing on Israel and killing Isreais .

   Pre-emptive strikes, I think that they are called .

 

      *But whatabout if blah blah blah*

a pre-emptive strike for Israel, act of terror if Iran had done the same

9 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

a pre-emptive strike for Israel, act of terror if Iran had done the same

 

What about if Iran did the same ?

Knew it was incoming 

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

What about if Iran did the same ?

Knew it was incoming 

oh sorry, i forgot, nobody is supposed to question Israel and what they do, probably get called an antisemite if one does

Just now, frank83628 said:

oh sorry, i forgot, nobody is supposed to question Israel and what they do, probably get called an antisemite if one does

 

  No, you haven't been called an "anti-Semite" and I doubt that you will be called that . 

This was an attack on Iranian bombs placed on Israel's border which would have been used to bomb Israel . 

   This was a pre-emptive strike in self defence . 

ironic, isn't?

IDF blowing whatever they call it but feedback kills civilians. 

elite forces? Oh please, stop these camp-fire tales. Been there, saw those. There's more "Elite" in Thai Elite club than .... 

5 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

ironic, isn't?

IDF blowing whatever they call it but feedback kills civilians. 

elite forces? Oh please, stop these camp-fire tales. Been there, saw those. There's more "Elite" in Thai Elite club than .... 

 

  Does that make any senses at all ?

I cannot work out what you are trying to say 

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

so Israel can bomb Syria with the backing of the US and you lot say nothing. 

Clearly a military target.

 

So what’s to say? 

24 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

oh sorry, i forgot, nobody is supposed to question Israel and what they do, probably get called an antisemite if one does

I am frequently critical of some Israeli actions, but not this one.

 

Maybe the world isn’t as monochromatic as you believe it to be.

11 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

 

elite forces? Oh please, stop these camp-fire tales. Been there, saw those. There's more "Elite" in Thai Elite club than .... 

 

   Did you also covertly  go onto enemy territory and destroy an Iranian missile base ?

5 hours ago, Tug said:

I don’t think Israel needs any help

They have a small population and almost 2 billion Muslims want them eliminated. 

Good job. Send them more money for similar missions. 

an israel has done this on who's authority ?  clearly a declaration of war and they can expect some presents in return soon ?