The Middle East remains a powder keg of tension, with recent events further escalating the conflict. In a significant development, Israel conducted a rare airstrike on the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday. The attack resulted in fires breaking out and caused damage to private property, injuring two civilians, according to Syrian state media. The Syrian state news agency, SANA, reported that the attack occurred around 2:50 am local time, citing a statement from a military source. They said the Israeli forces targeted a point near the southeast entrance of Latakia. SANA also claimed that Syrian air defenses intercepted hostile targets over the city.
While strikes on Latakia are rare due to the proximity of a Russian air base in Hmeimim, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, reported that the Israeli raid targeted a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah in Latakia. The strike highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, who are allies of Iran.
Meanwhile, Israel’s primary ally, the United States, also carried out airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that America conducted multiple B-2 bomber strikes on weapon storage facilities in Yemen. The B-2, a stealth aircraft capable of flying non-stop from the US with a substantial payload, targeted underground facilities housing components of weapons used by the Houthis to attack civilian and military vessels in the region, according to Austin.
Syria, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza are all part of the so-called “axis of resistance” led by Iran. This axis was further ignited after Iran conducted a ballistic missile strike on Israel on October 1st. In response, Israel has vowed to retaliate and is expected to strike before the 2024 US Presidential election. Adding fuel to the fire, Iran’s chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, warned Israel of a “painful” response if they attack Iranian targets. Salami made the threat during a speech at the funeral of a Guards general, who was killed in an Israeli strike on south Beirut last month, which also resulted in the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
The escalation of tensions stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In support of Hamas, Hezbollah, its ally, opened a new front against Israel by launching cross-border attacks from Lebanon last year. These continuous exchanges of fire have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides to flee their homes.
Over the past year, Israel has engaged in war with Hamas, successfully weakening the Palestinian terrorist group. However, Israel has now expanded its focus to Lebanon, launching massive strikes on Hezbollah strongholds throughout the country. On September 30th, Israel deployed ground troops across the border. Israel’s recent bombardment of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon has resulted in the collapse of buildings and the death of a city mayor. Lebanon’s health ministry reports that 16 people were killed and 52 wounded in strikes on two municipal buildings in Nabatiyeh, a city where Hezbollah and its ally Amal hold significant influence. On Thursday, Israel issued an evacuation warning for civilians in part of the eastern Lebanese Bekaa valley, a traditional stronghold of Hezbollah.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with each side threatening retaliation and escalating the conflict. The international community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this ongoing crisis.