Killing of Hezbollah Recruitment and Arms Officer and His Aide in Quneitra

Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian Revolutionary Guard Facility in Masyaf

Hebrew media reported that Israeli special forces launched a major airstrike on an Iranian Revolutionary Guard weapons manufacturing facility in the Masyaf region of central Syria. The operation resulted in the seizure of equipment and documents, as well as the arrest of Iranians.

Local Syrian media reported that the raids hit a scientific research facility in Masyaf, which has long been linked to the development of chemical weapons and precision missiles by the Syrian government and Iranian forces.

Hebrew media attributed information from private sources, including the anti-Syria channel, and Greek Middle East expert Eva Koulouriotis, who cited security sources in Tel Aviv as saying that Israeli forces “worked on the ground” in the Masyaf operation.

Violent clashes reportedly took place, resulting in the death of three Syrians and the arrest of two to four Iranians by Israeli forces. Russian communications centers were also targeted.

Sources said Syria’s air defenses had been weakened following recent Israeli strikes, preventing them from thwarting Sunday’s attack.

The Times of Israel website quoted researcher Eva Koulouriotis as saying that a “security source” told her that the IDF operation targeted an Iranian Revolutionary Guard facility that was manufacturing ballistic missiles and drones and providing logistical support to the Hezbollah group.

A security source confirmed to me that last Thursday evening the Special Forces |#IDF conducted a special operation against a military facility belonging to it #IRGCSix kilometers southwest of Masyaf city in Syria. pic.twitter.com/zrdbexcZnL

— Eva J. Couloriotis Eva Coolio (@evacool_) September 11, 2024

In a related matter, human rights sources reported that an Israeli airstrike on a Volvo vehicle at the eastern entrance to the town of Khan Arnaba on the Damascus-Quneitra road on Thursday morning killed a village leader in Al-Ashar in Quneitra countryside.

Sources at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the leader works with Lebanese Hezbollah and is responsible for recruiting Syrians and transferring weapons to the region for the group.

The targeting led to the total destruction of the vehicle, and then ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene amid tight security and cordoning.

Since the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes, targeting regime positions and targets of its allies Iran and Hezbollah.

Israeli attacks in Syria have escalated since fighting broke out between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian movement launched an unprecedented offensive in the south of the Hebrew state.

Although Hezbollah has announced the opening of a “support front” from southern Lebanon to Gaza against Israel, Syria is trying to stay out of regional tensions.