An elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently executed a rare ground raid in Syria, targeting and destroying an alleged underground precision missile manufacturing company claimed to be constructed with the help of Iran.
The raid represents a significant escalation in Israel's actions against alleged Iranian military infrastructure in Syria, following a sharp increase in Israeli airstrikes since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Israeli actions in Syria have been limited to drone and missile strikes and the rare cross-border munitions barrage. The raid marks the first time in recent years that the IDF has launched a ground operation targeting alleged Iranian assets in Syria, marking a notable shift in Tel Aviv's tactics. The destruction of the facility is seen as a major setback to Iran and Hezbollah’s efforts to produce precision medium-range missiles in Syria.
According to two sources, Iran began constructing the underground facility near the city of Masyaf in northwestern Syria in coordination with Hezbollah and Syria in 2018. Masyaf was chosen due to its proximity to Lebanon's northern border, which would allow faster and safer delivery of missiles to Hezbollah.
The facility, deeply embedded inside a mountain, was believed to be secure from Israeli airstrikes.
However, Israeli intelligence services discovered the construction early on and monitored the process for more than five years under the code name “Deep Layer.”
Over time, Israel realized that the factory could not be destroyed through airstrikes alone, and a ground operation was deemed necessary. Israeli military leaders considered launching the raid on at least two occasions in recent years, but it was postponed due to the high risk involved.
Israeli raid resulted in dozens of Syrians killed and many more wounded
The raid reportedly began on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 8, when a commando unit of the Israeli Air Force known as the Shaldag Unit launched the operation and destroyed the underground facility near Masyaf.
Israeli special forces surprised the Syrian guards at the facility, killing several of them. However, no Iranian personnel were harmed during the operation. The Israeli team used explosives they had brought with them to blow up the underground facility, targeting sophisticated machinery used for missile production.
At the same time, Israeli Air Force jets carried out heavy airstrikes across several locations in western Syria, including Masyaf, to prevent Syrian military reinforcements from arriving. Syrian state media reported 16 deaths and 40 injuries, denouncing the airstrikes as "blatant aggression." Iran's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, calling it "criminal."
Israel reportedly briefed the White House regarding the sensitive operation in advance, and the United States did not express any opposition to the mission. Following the raid, the Israeli government has remained silent and refrained from claiming responsibility in a political move meant to avoid provoking immediate retaliation either from Syria, Iran or Hezbollah.
The destruction of the underground missile factory is a significant blow to Iran's ambitions to produce precision-guided missiles on Syrian soil, a capability that would have enhanced Hezbollah's arsenal and posed a greater threat to Israel. The precision missiles are key for Iran and Hezbollah's military strategy, and the loss of the factory delays this capability.
This operation could lead to a strategic recalibration by Hezbollah, Syria and Iran, although it also raises the risk of further retaliation or escalation. For Israel, the raid reinforces its policy of preemptive strikes to thwart perceived threats from Iranian forces in the region.
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