The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a successful raid in Syria earlier this week, targeting a sophisticated underground missile factory built by Iran to supply Hezbollah with precision medium-range missiles. The raid, conducted by the Israeli Air Force's elite Shaldag unit, was the first known ground operation by Israel in Syrian territory in years.
According to a report by Axios, the destruction of the facility dealt a significant blow to Iran and Hezbollah's efforts to produce missiles used to target Israel. The operation took place in western Syria near the Lebanese border, with the Israeli Air Force conducting a bombing campaign to prevent Syrian military reinforcements from reaching the site.
Israel informed the U.S. in advance of the raid and encountered no opposition to the operation. The Syrian guards protecting the facility were caught off guard and killed by the Israeli commandos. The commandos successfully destroyed the underground facility and its sophisticated machinery using explosives.
The underground facility, built inside a mountain, was reportedly monitored by Israeli intelligence for five years. The decision to launch the raid was made after Israel deemed the project too high-risk in the past.
Some experts suggest that the raid could indicate how Israel may address Iran's nuclear facilities as the country moves closer to obtaining nuclear weapons. This is partly due to what some perceive as a lack of deterrence from the Biden-Harris administration.
Overall, the raid represents a strategic move by Israel to disrupt Iran and Hezbollah's missile production capabilities and demonstrates the country's commitment to defending itself against threats from its adversaries in the region.