- December 16, 2024
- 12:01 pm
- Middle East
Tartus is a strategically important region of Syria. Russia's main naval base, used for operations in the Mediterranean, is located here.
On the night of December 16, 2024, the Israeli Air Force carried out 18 airstrikes against military targets in the province of Tartus, Syria. Local residents heard powerful explosions and saw fiery flashes from the detonation of ammunition.
The strikes targeted strategic Syrian army depots, including Russian-made Bastion and Soviet-era Yakhont missiles.
After hitting the targets, the VolcanoDiscovery seismological portal recorded an earthquake of magnitude 3. The epicenter of the earthquake is located precisely in the province of Tartus, near the city of Banias (35° 10′ 56″ N, 35° 56′ 25″ E), at a depth of 32 km.
Attack objectives and their strategic significance
The Israeli Air Force, according to Israeli media, attacked the following targets:
- Surface-to-surface missile warehouse. The purpose is not confirmed, but it is assumed that they could be directed against Israel.
- Military shipyard. Used by the Russian military to service Navy ships.
- Ammunition depot. The storage facility where the detonation occurred is believed to have contained missiles of Iranian or Russian origin.
The impact caused not only a local earthquake, but also strategic consequences for the region. This was not the first time Israel had demonstrated its ability to destroy targets that pose a threat, even those under the protection of major powers.
Israel's position and the reaction of the world community
Israel has not officially commented on the attack. However, such actions by the country's air force have a long history. They are aimed at preventing the arming of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, as well as limiting Iran's military presence in Syria.
Local and international publications link this operation to increased tensions between Israel and its opponents in the Middle East.
“Only this language of power is understandable in this region. Israel has made it clear that any threat to its security will be eliminated,” analysts say.
Why is the province of Tartus important?
Tartus is a strategically important region of Syria. Russia's main naval base, used for operations in the Mediterranean, is located here.
Basic facts about Tartus and its military significance
| Object | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Russian naval base | Supporting Russian Navy operations in the region |
| Missiles “Bastion” and “Yakhont” | Coastal defense weapons |
| Shipyard | Maintenance of Russian warships |
| Ammunition depot | Included surface-to-surface missiles, potentially Iranian |
These facilities were previously controlled by the Syrian army but have been handed over to partial control by Russian and Iranian forces in recent years.
Connection with Russia: diplomatic aspect
Before the attack, a plane carrying diplomatic personnel from Russia, Belarus and North Korea took off from the Russian Khmeimim airbase. This may indicate that Russia knew about the upcoming attack and chose to evacuate its citizens to avoid casualties.
At the same time, the Russian embassy in Damascus continues to operate, although Moscow has not officially commented on the Israeli strikes.
NEWS: balance of power in the Middle East
As experts note, Israel’s actions are aimed not only at ensuring security, but also at preventing the strengthening of the military presence of Russia and Iran in Syria.
Portal NAnews – Israel News emphasizes that the strikes on Tartus strengthen Israel's position as a key player in the Middle East. It also sends a message to all parties to the conflict that any threat to Israel will be met with force.
Conclusions: what awaits the region?
This Israeli air force attack is another reminder of how important the balance of power is in the Middle East. She emphasized:
- Israel is ready to act preventively to protect its interests.
- The Russian and Iranian military presence in Syria remains under threat.
- Israel's regional security is ensured through surgical strikes and modern military strategy.
“Don't touch Israel – you'll save money on dismantling the ruins,” says a popular joke that now takes on a new meaning.
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