Israel unleashed a wave of over 100 airstrikes on Syrian military installations Monday, prompting a swift defense of the actions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The strikes, targeting facilities and assets linked to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, were described by Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon as “limited and temporary measures to protect its citizens, particularly in the Golan Heights.”
In a letter to the 15-member UNSC, Danon emphasized that Israel’s actions were solely focused on safeguarding its security and did not constitute intervention in the broader Syrian conflict. This statement comes despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration on Sunday that the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement between the two countries had “collapsed.”
The scale of the Israeli operation was significant. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, detail widespread damage. The Barzah scientific research center near Damascus, suspected by Western nations of involvement in chemical weapons production, was reportedly among the targets. Furthermore, the strikes allegedly devastated dozens of aircraft, helicopters, and other military equipment at multiple Syrian army bases. These included the Qamishli air base in northeastern Syria, the Shinshar base near Homs, and Aqrba airport southwest of Damascus.
The SOHR also reported strikes on weapons depots in Deir Ezzor province and further damage at the Qamishli military airport. Syrian security sources, cited in various reports, confirmed the destruction of boats belonging to the former Syrian navy in the Latakia seaport and damage to air defense installations near the Mediterranean coast. The breadth of the targets suggests a deliberate attempt to cripple key elements of Syria’s military infrastructure.
Despite Danon’s characterization of the airstrikes as “limited and temporary,” a senior Israeli official, as quoted by Reuters, hinted at continued operations in the coming days. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz further solidified this implication, stating that the military intends to “destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defence systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range rockets, and coastal missiles.” This aggressive stance signals a significant escalation of tensions in the region and raises concerns about potential repercussions.
The incident underscores the ongoing complexities and volatile security situation in the region and the potential for further escalation. The international community’s response to Israel’s actions, and the consequences of these strikes on the ongoing Syrian conflict, remain crucial points of observation. The full impact of this significant military operation will likely unfold over the coming days and weeks.
