Israeli Strikes Target Syrian Naval Vessels
Israel has launched attacks targeting Syria's naval assets just days following the downfall of the Assad government. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted strikes on naval targets in Syria, specifically targeting the Mediterranean ports of Latakia and Al-Bayda. These strikes are seen as a response to the recent shift in control in Damascus, where armed opposition groups have gained ground and the government of Bashar Assad has been weakened.
Over the past 48 hours, Israeli warships fired missiles at the ports, where the IDF reported that 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked during the attacks. The army stated, “Dozens of sea-to-sea missiles with ranges of 80-190 km were destroyed,” sharing a video on X that showcased the strikes on unidentified vessels.
In a detailed military operation, the IDF noted that it had targeted most of the strategic weapons stockpiles within Syria to prevent these assets from being taken over by terrorist groups. The Israeli military elaborated, “Naval Operations: Israeli Navy missile ships struck 2 Syrian Navy facilities."
Al Jazeera shared images that it claimed were of the destroyed Syrian Navy vessels. An AFP correspondent in Latakia observed smoke rising from at least three Soviet-era ships that were equipped with machine guns and missile launchers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that he had given the green light for the IDF to “bomb strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian army, so that they would not fall into the hands of the jihadists.”
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have advanced from the Golan Heights deeper into Syrian territory, thereby expanding their occupied regions since 1967. Defense Minister Israel Katz mentioned that the IDF aims to establish a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria to thwart “terrorist groups” from exploiting the ongoing chaos and posing a threat to Israel.
Israeli operations have drawn criticism from Arab nations and Türkiye, with Saudi Arabia asserting that these actions are exacerbating the instability in the war-torn country.
The dynamics in Syria shifted significantly earlier this month, when a coalition of anti-Assad forces, led by Islamist factions from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, initiated a swift offensive that resulted in the capture of all cities previously under government control. In light of this, other factions, including the US-supported Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, took advantage of the disarray within the Syrian army to expand their own influence.
In response to the escalating tensions, Russia has put its air base near Latakia on high alert but reassured that there is currently no threat to its personnel. Reports from TASS indicate that the Syrian opposition has been in communication with Russian officials, assuring the safety of Russian diplomats and military staff.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Over the past 48 hours, Israeli warships fired missiles at the ports, where the IDF reported that 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked during the attacks. The army stated, “Dozens of sea-to-sea missiles with ranges of 80-190 km were destroyed,” sharing a video on X that showcased the strikes on unidentified vessels.
In a detailed military operation, the IDF noted that it had targeted most of the strategic weapons stockpiles within Syria to prevent these assets from being taken over by terrorist groups. The Israeli military elaborated, “Naval Operations: Israeli Navy missile ships struck 2 Syrian Navy facilities."
Al Jazeera shared images that it claimed were of the destroyed Syrian Navy vessels. An AFP correspondent in Latakia observed smoke rising from at least three Soviet-era ships that were equipped with machine guns and missile launchers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that he had given the green light for the IDF to “bomb strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian army, so that they would not fall into the hands of the jihadists.”
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have advanced from the Golan Heights deeper into Syrian territory, thereby expanding their occupied regions since 1967. Defense Minister Israel Katz mentioned that the IDF aims to establish a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria to thwart “terrorist groups” from exploiting the ongoing chaos and posing a threat to Israel.
Israeli operations have drawn criticism from Arab nations and Türkiye, with Saudi Arabia asserting that these actions are exacerbating the instability in the war-torn country.
The dynamics in Syria shifted significantly earlier this month, when a coalition of anti-Assad forces, led by Islamist factions from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, initiated a swift offensive that resulted in the capture of all cities previously under government control. In light of this, other factions, including the US-supported Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, took advantage of the disarray within the Syrian army to expand their own influence.
In response to the escalating tensions, Russia has put its air base near Latakia on high alert but reassured that there is currently no threat to its personnel. Reports from TASS indicate that the Syrian opposition has been in communication with Russian officials, assuring the safety of Russian diplomats and military staff.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
