Axios: Israel destroyed an underground Iranian missile factory in a “ground operation” in Syria

The American website Axios revealed, today, Thursday, that Israel launched a “very unusual” raid in Syria, earlier this week, and destroyed an underground precision missile factory that Israel and the United States claim that Iran built, according to three sources familiar with the operation.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria have increased since October 7, as fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensified. But Sunday’s raid was the first ground operation by the Israeli military in recent years against Iranian targets in Syria.

The site said that the destruction of the factory represents a severe blow to Iran and Hezbollah's efforts to produce medium-range precision missiles on Syrian territory.

Axios quoted sources as saying that the Israeli government has remained unusually silent about the incident and has not claimed responsibility so as not to provoke retaliation from Syria, Iran or Hezbollah. Spokespeople for the Israeli military, the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment.

Syrian regime media reported heavy Israeli airstrikes on Sunday evening in several areas in western Syria, including near the city of Masyaf, close to the border with Lebanon.

On Wednesday, a Syrian opposition TV channel and Greek Middle East expert Eva Koulouriotis said the airstrikes were cover for an Israeli ground operation in Masyaf. Three sources familiar with the operation confirmed to Axios that the Israeli military’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit raided and destroyed the facility.

Axios indicated that Israel informed the Biden administration in advance of the sensitive operation and Washington did not oppose it.

One source told the site that the Israeli special unit surprised the Syrian guards at the facility and killed several of them during the raid, but no Iranians or Hezbollah fighters were injured.

Two sources said the special forces used explosives they had brought with them to blow up the underground facility, including the sophisticated machinery, from the inside.

One source said the airstrikes were aimed at preventing the Syrian army from sending reinforcements to the area.

Two sources with direct knowledge of the operation said the Iranians began building the underground facility in coordination with Hezbollah and Syria in 2018 after a series of Israeli airstrikes destroyed much of Iran's missile production infrastructure in Syria.

According to the sources, the Iranians decided to build an underground factory deep in a mountain in Masyaf because it would be impenetrable to Israeli air strikes.

The sources claimed that the Iranian plan was to produce precision missiles in this protected facility near the border with Lebanon so that the delivery process to Hezbollah in Lebanon could be carried out quickly and with less risk of Israeli air strikes.

Israeli intelligence discovered the construction and monitored it for more than five years under the code name “Deep Layer.” One source said the Israelis realized they would not be able to destroy the facility with an airstrike and would need a ground operation.

One source said the Israeli military had considered carrying out the operation at least twice in recent years, but it was not approved because of the high risks.

Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi