The Israeli Air Force carried out attacks on sites suspected of storing chemical weapons, air-defence systems and long-range rockets in Syria so that the deadly arsenal wouldn't fall into the hands of the HTS and allied extremists who toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime.
While Tel Aviv refused to provide more information on when or where the strikes took place, foreign minister Gideon Saar did confirm the airstrikes.
“The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens. That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists,” the Associated Press quoted Saar as saying.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reports said that dozens of Israeli fighter aircraft were used in the mission. Also hit were Syria's missile storage sites and weapon production facilities, the Times Of Israel said in a report.
Israel strikes multiple targets in Syria
The planes struck at least seven targets in southwest Syria on Sunday, the reports added. According to the AP, the Mezzeh military airport, located southwest of Damascus witnessed intense airstrikes on Sunday. With no other player likely to scramble its planes for an offensive mission in Syria, it is safe to assume that Israel was behind the strike at Mezzeh airport.
The second target is said to be the Khalkhala air base north of Sweida city. Khalkhala was targeted by Israel after it was learnt that forces loyal to Assad left behind a large stockpile of missiles, air defence batteries, and munitions as they abandoned their posts to escape the wrath of the HTS rebels. In order to ensure these weapons didn't fall into the hands of the HTS and 'Syrian National Army' allies, IDF dispatched its air units for an "intense strike", reports said.
Damascus security complex struck by IDF planes
Once the stockpiles were neutralised in these two locations, IDF launched a separate air offensive against the security complex and a government research centre in the Syrian capital.
In the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus, Israeli airstrikes hit the customs headquarters buildings harbouring military intelligence units. Also struck were the buildings used by Iranian scientists for weapon production, along with the storage of sensitive military data. At least three airstrikes were carried out in Damascus to complete this objective, Reuters said.
Chemical weapons in Syria
Bashar al-Assad had agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013 after his regime was reportedly accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. However, Assad didn't dump his arsenal fully and kept a part of it intact and used it again in subsequent years.
