FILE PHOTO: Israeli F-15 fighter jet © Reuters
New satellite images have revealed the targets of the April 9 Israeli airstrikes on the outskirts of the western Syrian town of Masyaf.
According to the satellite images, which were shared by Aurora Intel, the airstrikes destroyed two structures in the Defense Factories in the area of Zawi to the north of Masyaf. The Defense Factory provides ammunition to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Satellite imagery courtesy of @sentinel_hub shows at least 4 different targets in this reported airstrike. Two of which have been three areas of which have been targeted before. The Zawi Defense Factory, North of Masyaf, Syria, two impacts noted. pic.twitter.com/i6F4YN7eiw
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) April 10, 2022
The airstrikes also targeted two structures in a key facility of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) located to the northeast of Masyaf. The SSRC is Syria’s main military research and development institution. This facility was struck by Israel on several occasions in the past.
The SSRC (Scientific Studies and Research Center) which is affiliated to chemical weapons development (https://t.co/bbcMApbPwY) at least two structures targeted, this site has been struck maybe times before (The airstrike in Damascus in February targeted the Jamraya SSRC) pic.twitter.com/zKW4GOxg6e
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) April 10, 2022
The last two targets were a suspected air-defense site near the village of Suwaydah to the southeast of Masyaf and a military complex to the north of the town.
4th location an Army Complex, North of Masyaf, targeted previously as well, a Warehouse Complex appears to have been struck. pic.twitter.com/1QrUgwPgQd
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) April 10, 2022
A Syrian military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency that the airstrikes didn’t result in any casualties despite causing some material losses.
Syrian foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, condemned the Israeli attack in a message sent to the UN secretary-general António Guterres on April 10.
“The failure to condemn these repeated attacks has encouraged the Israeli occupation entity to persist, continue and expand the cycle of aggression on Syrian territory. It also puts the credibility of the UN and the effectiveness of its competent bodies and agencies to the test,” the message reads.
This was the first Israeli attack on Syria in April. The previous attack, which took place on March 7, targeted the outskirts of the capital, Damascus. The attack claimed the lives of two soldiers of the SAA and two officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Syria, which has been devastated by almost 11 years of war, will not likely respond to the attack to in order to avoid any further escalation by Israel.
