Israel reportedly strikes sensitive weapons in Syria as Islamist rebels capture city of Hama

Israeli airstrikes destroyed caches containing advanced weapons in northern Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Islamist rebel groups advancing there, according to Syrian reports which were cited by Army Radio.

The overnight airstrikes hit areas that at the time were still controlled by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Army Radio military correspondent Doron Kadosh wrote.

Mere hours after these reports, the Syrian regime announced that its forces were leaving the town of Hama, a crucial stronghold and the country’s fourth-largest city, amid the onslaught of a rebel coalition spearheaded by the jihadist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

NEW | Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)-aligned opposition groups are likely prioritizing the capture of Hama City.

The main effort is the city's isolation and capture. The supporting effort seeks to interdict regime reinforcements from reaching Hama. pic.twitter.com/HFhNhTBuwS

— Critical Threats (@criticalthreats) December 5, 2024

Syrian opposition sources reported that the Israeli strikes were carried out in an area where the facilities of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (CERS) are located. The institute serves as the regime’s military industry and is tasked with producing advanced weaponry, including chemical weapons.

“It seems that these are weapons that Israel did not want to fall into the hands of the rebels, if they advance and take over that area,” Kadosh commented.

Rebel groups began their lightning advance last weekend, capturing large areas of territory, including Aleppo, the nation's second-largest city and economic hub.

“This is the first time since the start of the rebel attack in northern Syria that Israel has carried out an air strike in the region… bottom line – it seems that Israel still stays on the sidelines and does not intervene militarily in the events in Syria, but also takes care to preserve its interests and make sure that the new developments in the Syrian arena don’t immediately negatively impact Israel.”

Fighters of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) enter the City of Hama in Northwestern Syria, following the Withdrawal of Regime Forces; with Crowds of their Supporters seen cheering in the Streets. pic.twitter.com/aAGj4wTLyC

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 5, 2024

According to an Israeli official who spoke with The Times of Israel, it is in Israel's interest “that they continue fighting one another.”

“It’s entirely clear to us that one side are Salafi jihadists and the other side is Iran and Hezbollah,” he continued. “We want them to weaken one another.”

“We are prepared for any scenario, and we will act accordingly,” he added.

In the early afternoon, the Syrian regime army announced that its forces were withdrawing from Hama after intense clashes with HTS forces, in order to “protect the lives of civilians and prevent urban warfare.”

Shortly after, the rebel leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani confirmed his troops were moving into the city in a video statement. He emphasized his group had “no ambitions” regarding Iraq and called on its government not to send Iranian-backed militia troops to Syria to help Assad's regime.

Video clips circulating on social media showed rebel troops flooding into Hama, capturing several army posts, including a military airport that was being used to bombard rebel-held areas just hours before.

שדה התעופה של חמה כמרקחה https://t.co/ChngSbAFbD pic.twitter.com/SrvaKY5Dmj

— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) December 5, 2024

“Worth recalling reports from the Syrian opposition over the years that Hama Military Airport was a transportation hub for Iran weaponry to Hezbollah,” noted Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran.

“There was even a story at one point that the Iranians established an intelligence base in the area. This further constrains Tehran in Syria,” he added.

The capture of Hama just days after Aleppo fell into rebel hands is a dramatic achievement and one that critically endangers the stability of the Syrian regime.

Hama is located around 45 km (29 miles) from the city of Homs, which remains the regime’s last major stronghold before the capital Damascus, which lies some 130 km (80 miles) further south on the main M5 Highway.

Capturing Homs would allow the rebels to cut off the connection between the capital and the coastal areas in the West, where the regime has its support base among the Alawite population, and where Russia operates several military bases and ports.