Israeli forces raid Iranian-affiliated facility in Syria – Reports

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Israeli special forces conducted a covert operation on Sep. 8, targeting facilities linked to the Syrian government and Iran in the city of Masyaf in Hama Governorate, central Syria, sources revealed on Thursday.

According to Israeli sources and American officials, the operation destroyed multiple military installations connected to the Syrian government forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Israeli forces reportedly descended from helicopters and seized sensitive materials from the site. Ground units were deployed due to the operation’s complexity and to recover intelligence from a concealed weapons facility.

The primary target was the Scientific Studies and Research Center near Masyaf, approximately 200 km from Israel and 30 km from the Syrian coast.

The Syrian Ministry of Health confirmed that 18 people were killed and 37 others were injured as a result of the raid.

A report from Axios, citing three individuals familiar with the operation, identified the elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Force as leading the mission. The report also stated that Israel informed the U.S. prior to the raid, which did not face any opposition from Washington.

Sources suggest the raid targeted an underground Iranian missile factory, while additional reports indicate that three Syrian soldiers were killed and two Iranian military advisors were captured. However, the Iranian embassy in Syria denied that any of its advisors were captured during the operation.

By Jwan Shekaki