In a daring mission, elite Israeli forces successfully destroyed a secret underground long-range missile factory in Syria in September. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed the details of the operation, describing it as one of the most significant and complex special operations in recent years.
The underground facility, which was dug into the side of a mountain, not only housed a precision-guided missile factory but also contained crucial information about Syria's chemical weapons program. During the raid, IDF commandos uncovered notebooks and documents detailing specific chemicals and manufacturing processes.
The factory, capable of producing between 150-350 missiles annually, including precision-guided missiles, was funded by Iran and intended for Hezbollah's use in attacks on Israel. The IDF's elite air force unit Shaldag played a key role in the mission, resulting in the deaths of 30 Syrian soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation as a crucial preventive measure against the Iranian axis's efforts to arm itself for potential attacks on Israel. The raid, involving over 100 soldiers and multiple aircraft, demonstrated Israel's determination to defend itself against regional threats.
Following the devastating Hamas invasion of Israel in 2023, Israel has faced ongoing security challenges from Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Assad regime in Syria. The recent raid on the Syrian missile factory signifies Israel's proactive stance in countering threats posed by hostile actors in the region.
Analysts suggest that Israel's actions may signal a broader strategy to address Iran's nuclear ambitions, with the underground Syrian facility serving as a potential warning to Iran's nuclear weapons facilities. The IDF spokesperson revealed that the construction of the missile factory began in 2017, with machinery sourced from Iran.
Hezbollah's previous attacks on Israel, launching over 17,000 projectiles, underscore the persistent security risks faced by Israel. The successful raid on the Syrian facility marks a significant milestone in Israel's ongoing efforts to safeguard its borders and deter hostile activities in the region.
