The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have carried out an extensive military operation in Syria, striking over 350 targets across the country and dismantling significant military assets. This comes in the wake of the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Sunday after a rapid offensive by Syrian rebel forces.
Israeli officials said the strikes aimed to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of extremist groups amid the chaos.
A Sa’ar 4.5-Class Missile Boat of the Israeli Navy seen launching Missiles last night towards the Former Naval Base of the Syrian Navy in Latakia. pic.twitter.com/j5KiqmYsrF
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 10, 2024
As part of the multi-pronged operation, Israeli naval missile ships destroyed the remnants of Syria’s naval fleet late Monday night. The strikes focused on the ports of Latakia and Al-Bayda, where 15 naval vessels, including Osa-class missile boats, were stationed. Verified images from Latakia show sunken vessels, with missile launchers from destroyed boats still visible above the water.
The Israeli Navy has released Footage of their Large-Scale Operation yesterday, against Missile Boats and other Ships of the Syrian Navy at the Port of Latakia and Minet el-Beida Bay in Northwestern Syria. Six Osa-l as well as Six Osa-ll Missile Boats equipped with Sea-to-Sea… pic.twitter.com/chWHr260Kc
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 10, 2024
***UPDATE***
Images of sunken Syrian navy ships following last night’s Israeli Navy strike on Latakia, Syria.
6 x vintage OSA-II class missile boats. pic.twitter.com/Izi2JbM8ah
— H I Sutton (@CovertShores) December 10, 2024
Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the operation as a “great success” during a visit to the Haifa Naval Base, saying the IDF had eliminated critical threats posed by Syria’s former military capabilities.
In parallel, Israeli Air Force fighter jets and drones carried out multiple waves of airstrikes targeting air defenses, arms depots, and weapons production sites. Strikes were reported across major Syrian cities, including Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra.
According to the IDF, the campaign destroyed long-range projectiles, Scud missiles, air defense systems, sea-to-sea missiles, fighter jets, and chemical weapons sites. Military sources estimate that 70–80% of the Assad regime’s strategic capabilities have been dismantled.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported widespread devastation from the strikes, describing the destruction as crippling for Syria’s military infrastructure. “Syrian lands are being violated,” SOHR founder Rami Abdul Rahman stated, underscoring the extent of the damage caused by the IDF campaign.
Syrian ammo storage facility near Al Salamiye destroyed completely, likely by Israeli strikes. pic.twitter.com/zYxY5O8KYT
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_aba) December 10, 2024
IDF ground forces have also entered the demilitarized buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. An IDF spokesperson emphasized that the presence was temporary, aimed at ensuring border security and creating a “sterile defensive zone” in southern Syria.
Reports of IDF troop movements beyond the buffer zone sparked concerns of deeper Israeli involvement. However, the IDF dismissed claims of an advance toward Damascus as false, clarifying that its forces remain within defensive positions near the border.
#عاجل الدفاع الأمامي: قوات الفرقة 210 تواصل الأنشطة الدفاعية – قوات المظليين تدخل المنطقة العازلة داخل سوريا لتعزيز حماية الحدود
🔵بدأت قوات الفرقة 210 مساء أمس (الأحد) نشاطًا استباقيًا بهدف ضمان حماية سكان هضبة الجولان في ظل التطورات الداخلية في سوريا.
🔵تنفذ قوات المظليين إلى… pic.twitter.com/RImaGWykpF
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) December 9, 2024
Defense Minister Katz reiterated Israel’s commitment to preventing any threats from emerging in Syria. “We won’t allow an extremist Islamic terror entity to act against Israel from beyond its borders,” he said. Katz also warned the Syrian rebel forces that any regime posing a threat to Israel would face similar action.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the new Syrian leadership, signaling openness to future relations but drawing clear red lines. In a video statement, Netanyahu said: “If this regime allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or transfers weapons to Hezbollah, we will respond forcefully and exact a heavy price.”
The recent campaign follows Israel’s long-standing concerns about Iran’s influence in Syria and its support for Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based group hostile to Israel. Over the years, Syria has served as a corridor for Iranian weapons to Hezbollah, a dynamic Israel aims to disrupt amid Syria’s post-Assad uncertainty.
