The airstrikes targeted a scientific research facility and an arms depot, causing a series of violent explosions in the area. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to prevent the expansion of pro-Iranian forces in Syria, which has been a consistent target of Israeli military actions since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
The recent escalation in Israeli air raids follows the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked a broader conflict. Israeli authorities have intensified their operations, though they seldom comment on specific strikes. However, they have previously stated their firm stance against allowing Iran to expand its influence in Syria.
Earlier reports from Syrian sources initially estimated five deaths and 19 injuries, but later updates confirmed the higher toll. Syrian air defense systems reportedly intercepted some of the missiles, though the strike resulted in significant damage to military sites in the Masyaf region.
At the end of August, Israeli strikes in the Homs region also killed three pro-Iranian fighters, part of a broader pattern of targeting groups aligned with Iran.