Israel capitalized on a power vacuum in Syria to launch a sweeping aerial campaign, targeting military assets across the country. The Israeli military said at least 350 airstrikes had taken out the Navy, fighter jets, drones, tanks, air-defense systems, weapons plants and a range of missiles and rockets.
Israeli officials claimed the strikes aimed to keep extremist groups from acquiring weapons. The rebel group that led the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad was formerly linked to Al Qaeda and is still designated as a terrorist group by the US and UN.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to ensure its security, but had “no intention to meddle in Syria’s internal affairs.” Analysts described the assault as exceptional in force and scope, aiming to significantly disarm whoever ends up in power in Syria.
The strikes also hit Iran’s infrastructure used for transporting weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu warned against future Iranian use of Syrian territory.
Egypt accused Israel of violating international law by occupying Syrian land. The Israeli military said its targets included airfields, hangars, and at least 15 naval vessels, destroying dozens of sea-to-sea missiles with ranges of 50-120 miles.
Photographs showed sunken boats, crumbled buildings, and charred remains of a science research center linked to Syria’s chemical weapons program. Miri Eisin, a retired Israeli colonel, praised Israel for destroying the chemical weapons that others would not touch.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-strikes-syria.html