Tel Aviv, May 31 – The Israeli military launched a significant airstrike on Friday, targeting coastal missile depots in Syria’s Latakia region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that these weapons posed a direct threat to both international and Israeli maritime navigation, prompting the offensive.
This marks the first reported Israeli airstrike on Syrian territory since May 3. The attack, according to the IDF, was strategically aimed at neutralizing coastal anti-ship missile systems and critical components of surface-to-air missile infrastructure believed to be in the possession of Iran-backed militias.
Syrian state media reported that the airstrike resulted in the death of one civilian in the village of Zama, located in the Jableh countryside south of Latakia. However, Syrian officials have yet to confirm the extent of damage to military infrastructure.
Over the years, Israel has consistently carried out airstrikes in Syria as part of its ongoing campaign to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah and other militant groups aligned with Iran. Friday’s operation aligns with that strategy, reflecting Israel’s focus on safeguarding regional stability and maritime security in the eastern Mediterranean.
The IDF emphasized that the action was preemptive, intended to eliminate weapons systems that could be used to disrupt international shipping lanes or launch future attacks on Israeli territory. The military added that it will continue to act against threats emanating from Syrian soil and will not tolerate hostile entrenchment near its borders.
As of now, there has been no direct response from Damascus regarding potential retaliation or diplomatic complaints. The international community is monitoring the situation closely, particularly in light of rising tensions between Israel and Iranian proxy networks operating in the region.
