File image.
On March 12, a series of Israeli strikes hit the western Syrian governorates of Tartus and Hama, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
A Syrian military source told the state-run agency that Israeli fighter jets launched the strikes from the direction of northern Lebanon.
The targets were reportedly an air defense base located near the town of al-Sifsafeh in the southern countryside of Tartus and a key facility of the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in the town of Masyaf in the western Hama countryside.
The SSRC develops and manufactures weapon systems, including missiles and drones, for the Syrian military. Israel claims that the center cooperates with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and provides weapons to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.
The Israeli strikes on Tartus and Hama claimed the life of a Syrian service member, an air defense officer, and wounded at least three others.
-
- Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
-
- Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
-
- Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
-
- Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
This was the second confirmed Israeli attack on Syria this month. On March 7, a series of strikes targeted Aleppo International Airport in the country’s northern region. The strikes damaged the runway, placing the airport out of service for three days.
Israel has been carrying out attacks against civilian and military targets in Syria for around a decade as a part of a covert military campaign. Tel Aviv hopes that the campaign, known as “the war between the wars” will eventually push Tehran and its allies out of the war-torn country.
