Alleged Israeli airstrikes near Masyaf in Syria’s northern Hama province resulted in at least 14 deaths and approximately 46 injuries, according to the Syrian regime-affiliated news site SANA.
The outlet did not specify the targets of the strikes, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the attacks hit several locations in Hama province, including a military research institute.
Regional intelligence sources cited by Reuters identified the facility as a known chemical weapons development center, believed to be housing a team of Iranian military experts.
A military source told SANA that at around 8:23 p.m. on September 8, 2024, Israeli forces launched an airstrike from northwest Lebanon targeting multiple military positions in central Syria. Syrian air defense systems responded, shooting down some of the incoming missiles.
Initially, SANA reported that three people had been killed, but later revised the number to 14. Initial reports indicated that four sites were targeted, in Hama, Homs, Tartus and Damascus.
The Israeli strike focused on the military research facility near Masyaf, while other impacts were attributed to Syrian air defense missiles that landed in residential areas, causing damage to villages and farms.
The new strikes now make 64 Israeli strikes on Syrian territory in 2024, which damaged or destroyed approximately 140 targets, including weapons and ammunition depots, military headquarters, research centers and vehicles. Estimates indicate that about 205 military personnel, including 98 Syrian nationals, have been killed in these strikes, along with 24 civilians.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) did not comment on the airstrike reports, in line with their usual policy. The Israeli government has repeatedly stated its intention to target weapon shipments to Hezbollah passing through Syria.
Iran and Russia have significantly increased their influence in Syria following the Syrian Civil War, with Iranian proxy Hezbollah operating within Syrian territory to support the Assad regime and enhance its threat capabilities against Israel.