A barrage of Israeli airstrikes rocked central Syria on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least four people and injuring thirteen. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, Syrian air defenses engaged with the attacking forces, targeting several locations in the central region. The strikes caused substantial damage to a highway in Hama province and ignited fires that firefighting crews struggled to contain through the night.
Targeted Sites and Strategic Implications
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitoring group, indicated that one of the strikes hit a scientific research center in Maysaf and other locations associated with Iranian militias and weapon development efforts in Syria. Additional strikes were reported around the coastal city of Tartous.
Israel’s Silence and Regional Context
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the recent strikes. Israel has a history of conducting operations in Syria, targeting Syrian forces and Iranian-backed groups to prevent Iranian entrenchment in the region. This strategic move is part of Israel’s broader effort to disrupt weapon transfers to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group currently engaged in ongoing clashes with Israeli forces, amidst the larger conflict involving Hamas in Gaza.
Sunday’s strikes come against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, particularly following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. Iran, which has a significant military footprint in Syria, and had vowed to deliver “harsh punishment” to Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing. However, more than 40 days have passed since the assassination, and no Iranian-led attacks have yet materialized.
The absence of a direct Iranian response has intensified speculation about future actions and the broader implications for regional stability. As Israeli operations continue to target strategic sites in Syria, the situation remains volatile, with both regional actors and international observers closely monitoring developments.
(With AP Inputs)