The Middle East remains a volatile region, with recent developments intensifying the ongoing conflict. In a significant move, Israel conducted a rare airstrike on the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday. This attack led to fires, damage to private property, and injuries to two civilians, according to Syrian state media. The Syrian news agency SANA reported that the strike occurred around 2:50 a.m. local time, targeting an area near the southeast entrance of Latakia. They also stated that Syrian air defenses intercepted some of the hostile targets over the city.
Strikes on Latakia are infrequent due to the proximity of a Russian airbase in Hmeimim. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, indicated that the Israeli raid specifically targeted a weapons depot linked to Hezbollah in Latakia. This incident underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
In parallel, Israel’s main ally, the United States, carried out airstrikes in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen on the same day. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that multiple B-2 bomber strikes targeted weapon storage facilities in Yemen. These stealth bombers, capable of long-range missions, focused on underground sites housing components used by Houthis in attacks on civilian and military vessels in the area.
Syria, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza form part of the so-called “axis of resistance” led by Iran. This alliance was further inflamed by Iran’s ballistic missile strike on Israel on October 1. In retaliation, Israel has pledged to respond, with expectations of action before the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. Adding to the tensions, Major General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), warned of a “painful” response to any attacks on Iranian targets, made during a speech at the funeral of a Guards general killed in an Israeli strike in south Beirut.
The current escalation is rooted in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah, in solidarity with Hamas, opened a new front against Israel by launching cross-border attacks from Lebanon last year. These hostilities have displaced tens of thousands on both sides.
Over the past year, Israel has engaged in combat with Hamas, managing to weaken the group. However, it has now shifted its focus to Lebanon, executing extensive strikes on Hezbollah positions. On September 30, Israel deployed ground troops across the border. Recent bombardments of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon have caused significant destruction, including the collapse of buildings and the death of a city mayor. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 16 fatalities and 52 injuries from strikes on municipal buildings in Nabatiyeh, a city influenced by Hezbollah and its ally Amal. On Thursday, Israel issued evacuation warnings for civilians in parts of the eastern Lebanese Bekaa Valley, a traditional Hezbollah stronghold.
As the situation continues to unfold, both sides threaten retaliation, further complicating the conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the events, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this escalating crisis.