This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (September 2024) |
On 8 September 2024, Israeli airstrikes hit several targets in Masyaf, Syria, including a scientific research institute. The strikes killed at least sixteen people, according to Syrian state media.[1] According to a report from the Syrian armed forces an Israeli aircraft flying over north-western Lebanon launched missiles at “a number of military sites in the central region” at around 20:20 GMT.[2] The strikes also damaged the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and a fire broke out in the forested Hair Abbas area.[2] The report also claimed that some of the missiles where shot down by Syrian air-defenses.[2]
| 2024 Masyaf strikes | |
|---|---|
| Part of spillover of the Israel–Hamas war | |
| Type | Missile strike |
| Location | |
| Date | 8 September 2024 |
| Executed by | Israel Defense Forces |
| Casualties | 25 killed |
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, 26 people were killed and the target was a scientific research centre used to develop weapons.[2] The SOHR also claimed that Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers had been stationed at the site for the last 6 years.[2] However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani refused to confirm nor denied this.[2] Western intelligence agencies have previously alleged that the site was used to make chemical weapons and was previously targeted in strikes in September 2017.[2]
Reactions
editThe Israeli military said it would not comment on the strikes.[2]
Syria's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as "blatant aggression."[2]
Iran's foreign ministry called the strikes a "criminal attack."[2]
References
edit- ^ "At least 16 people are killed in airstrikes in Syria, state media reports". The New York Times. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gritten, David. "Israeli strikes on Syrian military sites kill 18, health minister says". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2024.