Israeli airstrikes in Syria: Targeting threats to navigation
The Israeli air force conducted airstrikes on military targets near the cities of Latakia and Tartus in Syria. The attacks aimed to destroy weapon depots that threatened maritime navigation. This is the first such raid since early May.
What do you need to know?
- The Israeli air force attacked military targets near the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus in western Syria.
- A civilian was killed as a result of the attack, and the Israeli army emphasised that the target was weapon depots threatening maritime navigation.
- This was the first Israeli air raid in Syria since the beginning of May.
Why did Israel attack Latakia and Tartus?
The Israeli air force conducted airstrikes on military targets near the cities of Latakia and Tartus, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Israeli army announced that it "attacked weapon depots containing missiles (...) that posed a threat to the freedom of maritime navigation, both international and Israeli, in the Latakia region." It emphasised in the statement that it "will take action against any threats to Israel and its citizens."
What were the effects of the Israeli airstrikes?
A civilian was killed as a result of the Israeli attack in the Latakia region, reported Syrian state media.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based non-governmental organisation with extensive sources in Syria, reported that "Israeli attacks targeted military positions in the Tartus and Latakia regions." According to the Observatory, in the Latakia region, the Israeli air force struck barracks, which resulted in powerful explosions.
The coastal province of Latakia is home to the Russian Hmeimim airbase.
What was the target of the Israeli airstrikes?
This was the first Israeli air raid in Syria since the beginning of May. Between December 2024, when Islamist rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad's regime, and May, Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on targets in Syria. Most of the strikes were aimed at weapon depots previously belonging to Assad's forces.
As reported by the dpa agency, Israel's bombing of these depots aims to prevent their capture by jihadists and other forces hostile to Israel.
