At least fourteen people were killed on Monday, September 9, in a series of “Israeli attacks” at military sites near Masyaf in Syria, the director of the hospital in this region was quoted as saying by the official SANA news agency.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a non-governmental organisation based in the United Kingdom but with a wide network of sources in the war-torn country, reported eighteen dead, including eight Syrian fighters. The SOHR said the strikes had targeted sensitive military sites, which it also attributed to Israel.
Questioned by Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Jerusalem, the Israeli army declared “Do not comment on information from foreign media”.
Since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against President Bashar al-Assad’s army and pro-Iranian groups supporting him.
“One of the most violent raids”
OSDH head Rami Abdel-Rahmane said it was a question of “one of the most violent raids” carried out by the Israeli air force in Syria. He explained to AFP that the attacks were aimed at “Masyaf Scientific Research Center and surrounding sites”According to him, this center where Iranian experts work “develops weapons, including precision missiles and drones”. The OSDH added that the attacks had destroyed “military buildings and centers”.
“Around 11:20 p.m. [22 h 20 à Paris] On Sunday, the Israeli enemy carried out an airstrike from northwestern Lebanon, targeting several military sites in the central region.” reported the SANA agency. “Our air defense shot down some missiles”the agency added, citing a military source.
Israeli raids into Syria have intensified since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian movement’s attack on Israel on October 7. Syria has tried to stay away from regional clashes, but Israeli raids frequently target targets in its territory of the pro-Iran Lebanese group Hezbollah, which exchanges fire with the Israeli army from southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials rarely comment on attacks, but have repeatedly said they would not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria. In April, an attack blamed on Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing senior Iranian officials and threatening to set the region ablaze. Iran responded by carrying out an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israeli territory. Since then, Israeli strikes on Syria have diminished in intensity.
