Elite Israeli forces conducted a raid in Syria in September, destroying a secret underground long-range missile factory that also contained information about Syria’s chemical weapons program, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The operation was described as one of the most significant and complex special operations in recent years. The factory was designed to manufacture between 150-350 missiles a year, including precision-guided missiles, with 30 Syrian soldiers killed during the operation. Information about Syria’s chemical weapons program was also uncovered during the mission.
The IDF provided footage of the Israeli commandos during the operation, showcasing the massive explosion of the underground complex after it had been cleared. The factory was described as being dug into the side of a mountain underground, and the troops dismantled the facility to ensure the safety of Israel. The raid was aimed at an Iranian-funded precision-guided missile factory near the border with Lebanon, intended for use in aerial attacks on Israel by Hezbollah and the Iranian axis in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation as a bold and successful preventive measure against the Iranian threat to Israel.
After facing multi-prong attacks from Iran and its proxies following the devastating Hamas invasion of Israel in 2023, Israel has taken action to defend itself. The complex commando raid in Syria could be seen as a response to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, echoing Netanyahu’s long-standing strategy to contain the arms while focusing on the main threat. The raid on the Syrian factory could represent a turning point in Israel’s efforts to eliminate the nuclear threat posed by Iran, as it stands at a historic crossroads in the confrontation.
The Israeli perspective for years has been that Iran operates as an octopus in the Middle East, with the nuclear program in Tehran as the head and conventional terrorist organizations surrounding Israel as the arms. The understanding was that containing the arms while focusing on the nuclear threat was the best approach, but this perception shifted following the Hamas invasion, where the arms were revealed to be an existential threat. The raid on the Syrian factory serves to sever one of the arms of the Iranian threat, potentially setting the stage for further action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The IDF spokesperson revealed that construction on the Syrian missile factory began in 2017 and ended in 2021, with manufacturing machinery sent from Iran to the site. Most components in the factory were sourced from Iran, highlighting the close collaboration between Syria and Iran in arming Hezbollah. The factory was capable of producing a high volume of missiles each year, posing a significant threat to Israel’s security. In response to Hezbollah’s launching of over 17,000 projectiles toward Israel from 2023 to 2024, the Israeli forces conducted a targeted raid to eliminate this threat.
Overall, the raid on the Syrian missile factory represents a significant victory for Israel in its ongoing efforts to protect itself from the threats posed by Iran and its proxies. The operation showcased Israel’s determination to take preemptive action against potential threats, even deep within enemy territory. The successful destruction of the factory and the uncovering of information about Syria’s chemical weapons program demonstrate the IDF’s commitment to safeguarding Israel’s security and preventing attacks from hostile forces in the region.
