On Monday, December 9, Syria witnessed an unprecedented wave of Israeli airstrikes, marking a new phase of instability following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, reported that Israel conducted approximately 100 airstrikes in a single day.
The strikes targeted various locations, including military facilities near Damascus, Latakia, and Hama. According to the observatory, the objectives included arsenals, weapons depots, military airports, and even research centers. Among the sites hit was the Barzeh Scientific Research Center.
Although detailed information about the activities of this center has not been disclosed, reports suggest that it was involved in research related to chemical weapons. This has once again raised concerns about the potential use of chemical weapons in the region.
According to published statistics, Israeli airstrikes this year have resulted in the deaths of 416 Syrian soldiers. Israel maintains that these operations aim to prevent extremist groups from gaining access to the Syrian military’s weaponry.
Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the recent strikes during a press conference today, stating, “We targeted missile stockpiles and suspected chemical weapons facilities to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist groups. Our sole interest is the security of Israel and its citizens.”
These strikes come amid heightened regional tensions, with analysts warning that such actions could have far-reaching implications for the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.
