The Syrian Army informed Reuters that Israeli missiles targeted the port city of Tartous late Tuesday evening. Reports indicate that Syria’s air defenses successfully intercepted the missiles, with at least two Israeli missiles being observed. Multiple explosions have been reported in the area.
Tartous, Syria’s second largest coastal city, rarely experiences Israeli attacks, as most assaults have historically targeted Damascus. The presence of Russian bases and assets in Tartous has contributed to the infrequency of Israeli strikes in the area. The Russian Navy’s only deep water Mediterranean port is located in Tartous.
Israeli media has attributed the nighttime attack to the Israeli Air Force. Meanwhile, Israel is currently engaged in an expanded anti-Hezbollah offensive in south Lebanon, leading to numerous casualties. Concerns have been raised about the potential for the conflict to escalate and involve Shia paramilitary groups in Iraq and Syria, as well as direct intervention by Tehran in Lebanon.
The Assad government has maintained a subdued response to the situation in Lebanon, prompting questions from pro-Hezbollah Lebanese about Damascus’s support for Hezbollah. The ongoing developments underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.