2 days ago
4
Israel’s military on Thursday disclosed that it had conducted a covert operation in September 2024 to dismantle an underground
missile production facility
in Syria, allegedly funded by Iran.
The daring raid, known as “Operation Many Ways,” was carried out by 120 elite commandos and targeted a facility codenamed “Deep Layer.”
The compound, built into a mountain near Masyaf—over 200 km from Israel—was reportedly used to produce precision-guided missiles for Hezbollah and the Assad regime. The Israeli Air Force released footage of the operation, showcasing the meticulous planning and execution by specialized units Shaldag and Unit 669.
Footage released by the military showed soldiers boarding helicopters at an undisclosed base, later landing at the Syrian target site under the cover of night. The grainy video captured troops entering the compound amidst gunfire, and returning safely to Israeli territory after completing their mission.
According to the Israeli military’s statement, the facility contained advanced assembly lines designed to produce precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets. These weapons were reportedly intended for Hezbollah, Iran’s powerful proxy in Lebanon, as well as other Tehran-aligned groups in the region. Critical machinery and documents seized from the site were transported back to Israel.
"The soldiers destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory," the statement said, pointing out operation's success. The military also noted that the mission was supported by fire and intelligence-gathering operations involving aircraft, fighter jets, and naval vessels.
This revelation marks one of the rare instances where Israel has publicly acknowledged its activities within Syrian territory. Since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in the country, aiming to curtail Tehran’s influence and prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah.
Until December 2024, Syria was under the leadership of Iran-backed President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime had largely avoided involvement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
