Israeli Military Raid Destroys Underground Missile Production Facility in Syria

In a daring operation, Israeli special forces have successfully destroyed an underground missile production facility in northwestern Syria, marking a significant shift in the country’s military capabilities.

On a recent mission, the Israeli Air Force’s elite special operations unit, Shaldag, conducted a surprise raid on the facility, located deep in the mountains near the Lebanese border. The commandos, supported by airstrikes, infiltrated the site, seized crucial equipment and documents, and detonated explosives, obliterating the facility.

The operation was the culmination of years of planning and intelligence gathering by Israeli forces, who had been tracking the facility under the codename “Deep Layer.” The site, built underground to neutralize Israeli airstrikes, was heavily guarded by Syrian forces between 2018 and 2022.

According to reports, the Israeli military had planned raids on the facility at least twice before, but both were rejected due to the high risk. However, with careful calculations and a clear plan, the operation was finally approved and executed.

The raid, which lasted approximately an hour, involved Israeli commandos infiltrating the facility, gathering vital information, and destroying the site under air cover. The operation was reportedly informed and approved by the US, with General Michael E. Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), visiting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base before the operation.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the Israeli raid resulted in the deaths of 18 Syrian citizens, injured 37 others, and caused significant damage to infrastructure, electricity, and water systems, communication networks, and roads in Masyaf.

Syrian officials condemned the raid, with Health Minister Hassan Al-Ghabbash describing it as a “brutal and barbaric act of aggression.” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan’ani also denounced the attack, rejecting accusations that Tehran supports weapons production facilities in Syria.

The successful operation demonstrates the capabilities of Israel’s elite special forces in neutralizing enemy underground facilities, which have traditionally been considered almost “invulnerable” to conventional attacks.

Image: Israeli Air Force Shaldag commandos during an exercise. Photo: The Times of Israel