The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched strikes on Syria’s naval ports, making waves across the Middle East. This comes at a time when Syria is already facing chaos, with armed opposition groups seizing control of the capital, Damascus, and toppling President Bashar Assad’s government.
Over the past 48 hours, Israeli warships fired missiles at key Syrian ports, specifically in Latakia and Al-Bayda. The IDF revealed that at least 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked at these ports when the attacks took place. The strikes were aimed at destroying Syria’s military assets before they could fall into the wrong hands.
According to the IDF, dozens of sea-to-sea missiles, capable of traveling distances between 80 and 190 kilometers, were obliterated in the strikes. The Israeli military posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showing some of the damage done to the vessels, although they didn’t reveal specific details about which ships were hit.
Al Jazeera shared images showing what seemed to be destroyed Syrian navy ships. Smoke could be seen coming from several Soviet-era vessels, which were equipped with machine guns and missile launchers. AFP reporters in Latakia confirmed the destruction of at least three ships, adding to the growing sense of devastation in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks, stating that the IDF was acting to prevent Syria’s military assets from falling into the hands of jihadist groups now gaining ground in Syria. Netanyahu authorized the military to target strategic military sites, ensuring that these assets wouldn’t be used against Israel.
But the situation is even more tense than just these strikes. Israel’s forces, already occupying parts of Syria since 1967, have made moves to push deeper into the country. The IDF has been advancing from the Golan Heights into southern Syria, a region that has become increasingly unstable.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, revealed that the country plans to set up a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria, aiming to prevent any terrorist groups from taking advantage of the turmoil. The goal is to keep these groups away from Israel’s borders and ensure the country’s security in this increasingly unpredictable environment.
Meanwhile, the international community has reacted strongly to Israel’s actions. Arab countries and Turkey have condemned the strikes, with Saudi Arabia warning that the Israeli operations could worsen Syria’s already devastating civil war.
The timing of these strikes is significant. Earlier this month, Syria experienced a major shift when a coalition of anti-Assad groups, led by jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise offensive, capturing cities previously held by the Assad government. As the Syrian military crumbled, other groups like the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took advantage of the situation and expanded their territories.
Amid this turmoil, Russia, which has a major air base in Latakia, has placed its military on high alert. Although Moscow says there is no immediate threat to its personnel, the situation remains tense, with Syrian opposition groups in contact with Russian officials to ensure the safety of Russian diplomats and military members in the region.
This conflict is not only reshaping Syria but also sending shockwaves throughout the region, with global powers closely watching Israel’s next moves. As the situation in Syria continues to spiral out of control, it remains unclear how far Israel will go in its efforts to secure its interests. What’s certain is that the stakes are higher than ever, and the conflict is far from over.
