ALBAWABA- Israel launched 10 aggressive airstrikes on military sites in Tartus, Syria, early Monday, targeting weapons depots, air defense units, and surface-to-surface missile storage facilities, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The blatant Israeli strikes, described as the heaviest in Syria's coastal region since Israeli operations began in 2012, caused massive explosions that illuminated the night sky.
A former Syrian army officer in Tartus revealed that the attacks hit several military sites, including Brigade 23 and installations near Harison, Baloutiyah, and Al-Kharab villages.
He added that Israel used advanced missiles capable of destroying weaponry stored inside caves, with explosions audible from dozens of kilometers away.
Additional Israeli strikes targeted radar systems at Deir ez-Zor military airport and weapons depots in Dumayr, east of Damascus, causing powerful consecutive explosions.
The raids, which lasted for nearly eight hours, hit camps with tunnels storing large missiles, ammunition, and shells in Ayn Minin, northwest of Damascus.
Since December 8, following the reported flight of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Russia, Israel has intensified its attacks, conducting around 500 airstrikes across Syria.
These strikes have destroyed airbases, helicopters, fighter jets, weapons storage facilities, and elements of Syria’s naval fleet, with some targeting an air defense facility near the port of Latakia.
Israeli officials justified the aggression on Syria as defensive measures to protect their borders, including controlling the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and preventing potential threats from Syria.
However, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Jabhat Tahrir al-Sham group, criticized Israel's actions as unfounded provocations, stating that Syria is focused on reconstruction and avoiding further conflict.
