The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that dozens of its troops were flown into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=syria" rel="dofollow">Syria </a>in September to destroy an underground missile factory funded by Iran.
The military, which rarely comments on its activities inside Syria, said in a statement that the September 8 raid involved more than 100 Israeli commando soldiers who dismantled the facility in the Masyaf area near the Mediterranean coast.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures.
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Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since a civil war broke out there in 2011, mainly on Iranian-linked targets.
In a statement on Thursday, the military said the underground Masyaf compound "included advanced assembly lines designed to manufacture precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets" for Lebanon's Hezbollah "and other Iranian terror proxies in the region".
Troops were flown in on helicopters, "with fire and intelligence-gathering support from aircraft, fighter jets, and naval vessels", it said.
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Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists in an online briefing that "this precision-guided missile factory was dug in the side of a mountain underground in the area of Masyaf."
"Most components in fact were sourced from Iran for precision-guided missiles and surface-to-surface missiles," he said.
The facility had the capacity to manufacture hundreds of missiles annually, Shoshani said.
The Observatory said the facility was created and supervised by Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Tehran at the time condemned the raid as a "criminal attack".
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The military statement said critical machinery and documents found at the factory were brought to Israel for further investigation.
"The soldiers destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory," it said.
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory, told AFP after the raid that an intense air strike preceded the raid, destroying a separate "scientific research centre" in Masyaf used for weapons development, where Iranian experts worked.
Syria, until last month under Iran-backed president Bashar al-Assad, has sought to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack and has drawn in Tehran-aligned groups in the region.
Since Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities in what it says is a bid to prevent them from falling into hostile hands.
In a move widely condemned internationally, Israel also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and beyond, describing it as a defensive and temporary measure.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures.

The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that dozens of its troops were flown into Syria in September to destroy an underground missile factory funded by Iran. The military, which rarely comments on its activities inside Syria, said in a statement that the September 8 raid involved more than 100 Israeli commando soldiers who dismantled the facility in the Masyaf area near the Mediterranean coast. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures. Also read: Syria's education minister defends changes in school curriculum amid criticism. Cites THIS reason Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since a civil war broke out there in 2011, mainly on Iranian-linked targets. In a statement on Thursday, the military said the underground Masyaf compound "included advanced assembly lines designed to manufacture precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets" for Lebanon's Hezbollah "and other Iranian terror proxies in the region". Troops were flown in on helicopters, "with fire and intelligence-gathering support from aircraft, fighter jets, and naval vessels", it said. Also read: Iran’s Khamenei praises Syrian resistance, says ‘US will leave the region in humiliation’ Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists in an online briefing that "this precision-guided missile factory was dug in the side of a mountain underground in the area of Masyaf." "Most components in fact were sourced from Iran for precision-guided missiles and surface-to-surface missiles," he said. The facility had the capacity to manufacture hundreds of missiles annually, Shoshani said. The Observatory said the facility was created and supervised by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Tehran at the time condemned the raid as a "criminal attack". Also read: French military bombs ISIS positions in Syria, the first since fall of Assad govt The military statement said critical machinery and documents found at the factory were brought to Israel for further investigation. "The soldiers destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory," it said. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory, told AFP after the raid that an intense air strike preceded the raid, destroying a separate "scientific research centre" in Masyaf used for weapons development, where Iranian experts worked. Syria, until last month under Iran-backed president Bashar al-Assad, has sought to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack and has drawn in Tehran-aligned groups in the region. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities in what it says is a bid to prevent them from falling into hostile hands. In a move widely condemned internationally, Israel also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and beyond, describing it as a defensive and temporary measure. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel confirms September raid on Iran-funded missile factory in Syria

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus.

20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island.&nbsp;

The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution.

"Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency.

The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place.

The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added.

Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel.

Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary.

Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island. The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution. "Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency. The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place. The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added. Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel. Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary. Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities warn oil spill the size of New York City can reach Cyprus

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Israel confirms September raid on Iran-funded missile factory in Syria

Authorities warn oil spill the size of New York City can reach Cyprus