Israel Launches Airstrikes on Military Sites in Syria's Coastal Regions
Airstrikes Target Military Facilities in Syria
On May 31, Israel executed airstrikes against various military installations in Syria's coastal provinces, specifically Tartus and Latakia. This information was reported by Syrian state media and a monitoring group.
The strikes in Tartus focused on a military site previously utilized by special forces, along with locations in the al-Wuhaib industrial zone and the al-Blata barracks, as detailed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring organization.
According to state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, Israeli aircraft targeted the village of Zama in the Jableh region, in addition to military sites in the Mina al-Bayda port area and the 107th Brigade base in the adjacent Latakia province.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a statement that they struck weapon storage facilities in Latakia on the night of Friday, asserting that these facilities housed missiles threatening international and Israeli maritime navigation.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and Syrian defense officials had yet to release an official statement regarding the strikes.
These airstrikes occur amidst escalating regional tensions and follow a series of Israeli operations in Syria over recent months, some of which have led to casualties and the destruction of air defense systems and weapon depots.
On May 3, Israel conducted its most extensive airstrikes in Syria this year, targeting over 20 locations across at least six provinces, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state media.
The strikes affected various areas, including Mount Qasioun, Barzeh, and Harasta in Rural Damascus, with explosions reported near the Harasta Military Hospital.
The Observatory characterized these strikes as the most intense of the year, coinciding with rising tensions between Israel and Syria, resulting in numerous injuries.
Ambulance teams were observed responding to several impacted areas, including Kanaker, where a drone strike earlier that day reportedly resulted in four fatalities, as per Al-Watan newspaper.
Israeli media indicated that new targets had recently been approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The Observatory noted that Israel has conducted over 52 strikes on Syrian territory since the beginning of the year, comprising 44 airstrikes and eight ground assaults, which have destroyed at least 79 targets, including weapon depots, command centers, military vehicles, and missile platforms.