An airstrike has reportedly targeted a warehouse within the Russian-operated Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, alongside other military sites in the Latakia Governorate. The strikes occurred shortly after the arrival of an Iranian plane belonging to “Qashim Fars” airline, raising concerns about the implications of this military action amidst ongoing tensions in the region.
The bombing, which is believed to have involved 30 missiles fired from naval battleships between 3:55 and 4:41 AM, remains unconfirmed regarding its source. However, Syrian media outlets have attributed the strikes to Israeli forces, which frequently conduct operations against Iranian-affiliated targets in Syria without officially acknowledging their involvement. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish fires caused by the airstrikes, although reports indicate that the airport’s stands and towers were not directly targeted.
The Syrian news outlet Syriawatan News reported that an ammunition storage facility was struck near the Hmeimim Airbase and Bassel al-Assad International Airport in Jableh. Eyewitness accounts describe significant explosions and subsequent blazes in the area, with Syrian air defences reportedly intercepting some projectiles off the coast of Jableh.
This incident follows a series of Israeli airstrikes earlier this week, including one targeting a residential building in Damascus that resulted in three fatalities and injuries to several others. The Israeli military’s ongoing operations are seen as a response to cross-border attacks from groups such as Hezbollah, which have intensified amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. officials expressing concern over the potential for further escalation. President Joe Biden emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent a wider conflict in the region. However, with Israeli forces actively engaging Iranian interests in Syria and Lebanon, the risk of an all-out war looms large.
