Reports: Israeli airstrikes in Syria served as cover for special forces ground raid on IRGC facility

The alleged Israeli airstrikes near Masyaf in Syria late on Sunday were only a small part of a shocking commando raid on an Iranian IRGC facility, during which Israeli soldiers landed via helicopters, killed several gunmen, and took documents, according to unconfirmed reports widely covered by Israeli media on Thursday.

The strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded around 46 others, the Syrian regime-affiliated news agency SANA reported. According to Syrian media, the targets in the Hama province included a military research institute affiliated with Iranian military experts.

On Thursday, the Turkey-based opposition network Syria TV claimed the airstrikes were accompanied by a ground operation of Israeli special forces. The area of Masyaf lies some 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Israeli territory, and around 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

Israeli soldiers reportedly rappelled from helicopters and raided several targets, including a Russian communications center. During the exchange of fire, three Syrians were killed and between two and four Iranians were captured, the report added.

#EXCLUSIVE #Israel #Syria #Iran #IRGC #Hezbollah
Last Thursday night, around 11:00, residents of western and central Syria heard the sounds of a large number of huge explosions in the direction of the Masyaf area near the Syrian-Lebanese border. These explosions were not the… pic.twitter.com/sWuks7K0PI

— Eva J. Koulouriotis | إيفا كولوريوتي (@evacool) September 11, 2024

According to another report by Greek Middle East expert Eva J. Koulouriotis, the main target was an IRGC facility six kilometers southwest of the Syrian city of Masyaf, which “is responsible for developing ballistic missiles and drones and provides logistical support to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.”

“The facility has been operating for more than ten years and was subjected to Israeli air strikes last year,” Koulouriotis wrote on 𝕏.

“The operation began with an air strike targeting a number of roads leading to the military facility, in addition to a headquarters affiliated with the Syrian military security and the facility’s security points. Then, Israeli military helicopters carrying Israeli special forces moved towards the facility, supported by combat helicopters and drones, to prevent any forces from the Assad regime from reaching the area.”

Regarding the reports of Israeli special forces' operation in an underground facility in #Masyaf days ago:
- there were reports of sounds looking like helicopters in Tartus that night
- Israel cratered the road leading to the facility, a 1st while it was bombed several times b4. https://t.co/XBwRd9Pkme pic.twitter.com/iFg4DF5vGS

— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) September 11, 2024

“The Israeli special forces were able to enter the facility, withdraw important equipment and documents, mine the facility from the inside, then destroy it and withdraw under air cover through fire belts surrounding the site, to prevent any air movements by Assad’s warplanes,” Koulouriotis wrote.

The French news outlet AFP added that the operation lasted approximately one hour, during which Israeli forces collected equipment and documents belonging to the Iranian regime, and then withdrew under the cover of intense fighter jet bombardment.

Israel, so far, has not commented on the airstrikes or the alleged ground operation.

A Syrian security official, cited by Lebanese outlet UNews, denied the reports of an Israeli ground operation, claiming there was “no truth” to them.