Official statements from international diplomatic bodies or credible news reports

IDF Destroys 90% of Syrian Air Defenses, Eyes Iran Nuclear Facilities

Dec 12, 2024, 08:03 PM

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted a significant military operation in Syria, severely damaging its air defense systems. According to IDF statements, over 90% of Syria's strategic surface-to-air missile systems have been destroyed, alongside other military assets such as fighter jets, helicopters, and manufacturing facilities. This operation follows the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, which has weakened the country's military infrastructure. The IDF's actions are part of a broader strategy to neutralize potential threats and secure a direct air corridor to Iran, with sources indicating that this could facilitate future strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The Israeli military has also targeted Syrian Navy facilities, conducted incursions into Syrian border cities, and taken control of the Golan Heights buffer zone. Key targets included the T4 airport near Damascus, where SU-22 and SU-24 fighter squadrons were destroyed, and a critical facility in the Homs area, pivotal to Syria's Scud missile project. These developments come at a time when the Middle East is experiencing heightened tensions, with Israel's actions potentially setting the stage for further escalation.