--- title: "Claims Swirl Around Israeli Strikes Very Near Russia’s Air Base In Syria" description: "Israeli conducted strikes near the Syrian coast this morning, with explosions reported in the vicinity of the Russian-operated [Khmeimim Air Base](), near the city of Latakia. At this stage, it’s not clear if the Russian airfield was actually hit, deliberately…" date: "2024-10-03" modified: "2024-10-03" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/news-features/claims-swirl-around-israeli-strikes-very-near-russias-airbase-in-syria" categories: - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Around The Globe" - "Bunkers & Installations" - "Israeli Air Force" - "Israeli Navy" - "Middle East" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Russian Air Force" - "Sea" - "Syria" tags: - "hezbollah" --- # Claims Swirl Around Israeli Strikes Very Near Russia’s Air Base In Syria ![Israel apparently conducted strikes on the Syrian coast this morning, with explosions reported in the vicinity of the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base, near the city of Latakia. At this stage, it’s unclear if the Russian airbase was actually hit, deliberately or otherwise. Either way, however the attacks represent a notable escalation in terms of Israel’s willingness to prosecute targets close to Russian interests in Syria.]() *via X* Israeli conducted strikes near the Syrian coast this morning, with explosions reported in the vicinity of the Russian-operated [Khmeimim Air Base](), near the city of Latakia. At this stage, it’s not clear if the Russian airfield was actually hit, deliberately or otherwise — which would be a first. Either way, however, the attacks represent a notable escalation in terms of Israel’s willingness to prosecute targets that are very close to this key Russian military facility in Syria and a major point of pride for Moscow. https://twitter.com/oald24/status/1841733499574800715?s=12 https://twitter.com/StratcomCentre/status/1841748596053377499 https://twitter.com/Grimm\_Intel/status/1841679471545327904 Initial accounts from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a U.K.-based information office, [describe]() attacks in the coastal Latakia province, with targets including an ammunition warehouse said to be near Jablah city, not far from Khmeimim Air Base. Weapons supplied by Iran and destined for Hezbollah, its Lebanese ally and proxy, often are delivered first to Syria, for onward transit to Lebanon. The suggestion here is that Iranian munitions headed for the militant group were targeted soon after they arrived in Syria. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Hezbollah [has been recently smuggling weapons]() into Lebanon from Syria via the Masnaa border crossing. Only yesterday, the IDF released a video showing examples of Russian-made weapons it says its troops captured in Lebanon, including [Metis-M]() anti-tank guided missiles, [Strela-2]() man-portable air defense systems, MRO-A rocket-propelled anti-personnel flamethrowers, and RPG-29 Vampire and RPG-27 Tavolga rocket-propelled grenades. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imOUbUU063Y The SOHR says that the warehouse in Jablah was destroyed and also reports the “presence of warships in the sea, and warplanes believed to be Israeli.” The group says that Syrian and Russian air defenses were active for more than 40 minutes in an effort to thwart the attacks. The mention of Israeli Navy warships in the SOHR account is unusual, but it cannot be confirmed that these were the source of the attacks. Normally, Israel has used its fighter aircraft to conduct missions of this kind, although Israeli Navy warships have had a presence off Syrian shores. The Israeli Navy is not notably heavily-equipped for striking targets on land, although it’s possible that the latest [Gabriel 5 anti-ship missile]() can also be used for land attack. An export version of this weapon, the [Sea Breaker](), is advertised as having a precision land attack capability, thanks to its imaging infrared seeker. Gabriel 5 missiles are used by the latest [*Sa’ar 6* class]() corvettes and may be fitted to older *Sa’ar 5* class corvettes, as well. They are thought to have a range of up to 248 miles. Israel's submarine fleet is also[ capable of launching the secretive Popeye Turbo]() long-range cruise missiles, but those are thought to be only configured for nuclear strikes as they make up the country's second-strike deterrent. Another possibility, and one that would tally with reports of drones being in the air at the time of the attacks, is that Israel launched one-way attack drones or loitering munitions from warships or other vessels off the coast. As *TWZ* [has discussed before](), Israel has developed a ship-based version of its popular Harop drone.[ Standard versions could also be launched]() from containers on a ship's deck. ![]() *Concept artwork showing the ship-launched Harop drone. *IAI** Reports on Syrian state television said that Israel was responsible for bombing Khmeimim Air Base “an hour after the arrival of an Iranian plane belonging to Qeshm Airlines.” The same source claims that the Israelis’ targets were “military sites in Latakia province” as well as a warehouse within the perimeter of the air base. “The Israeli strike did not target the runways or towers at Khmeimim Air Base and Latakia’s civilian airport,” Syrian state television says. https://twitter.com/levant\_24\_/status/1841680657115643952?s=12 The Syrian account describes Israeli bombardment launched from the sea, involving 30 missiles that were launched between 3:55 a.m. and 4:41 a.m. After the strikes ended, Russian aircraft were on patrol over Latakia. https://twitter.com/levant\_24\_/status/1841680657115643952?s=12 As for Khmeimim Air Base, this has been a major hub for the Kremlin’s military intervention in Syria, which was launched in 2015. Two years later, the Russian government signed a new long-term lease for the base with Syrian authorities, as [part of a larger deal]() that also saw Russia extend its access to [port facilities at Tartus](), further to the south, for at least another 49 years. This arrangement came after Russian forces, especially combat airpower, had been [instrumental in preventing the collapse]() of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad. Now, the facility serves as the only [Russian airfield on the Mediterranean, a highly strategic]() but also symbolic prize that Moscow gained in exchange for saving Assad. ![]() *A Russian Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft takes off from Khmeimim Air Base. *TASS** An unconfirmed report describes the death of a “prominent commander” in the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), following Israeli strikes on Khmeimim Air Base. https://twitter.com/oald24/status/1841736476968501454?s=12 Also today, Syria’s state-controlled news agency *Sana* reported that Syrian air defenses were again active, this time confronting “hostile targets” in the skies near Damascus but provided no further details. The SOHR reports that an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital resulted in the death of Hassan Jaafar, the son-in-law of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He was said to be one of three killed — [with another three injured]() — when a building was flattened in the Mezzah district in the west of the city. https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1841574158603583658 Israel has long been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria but has increased the intensity of such raids since last year’s October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israeli territory. These latest strikes are being carried out in addition to attacks on targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. In the course of this year so far, the SOHR [has documented]() 94 Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, comprising 77 airstrikes and 17 rocket/missile attacks by ground forces. In the process, the group says that Israel destroyed nearly 185 targets, including buildings, weapons and ammunition warehouses, headquarters, vehicles, and others. SOHR claims that the strikes killed 250 combatants and injured 177 others. Of those casualties, significant numbers are said to have been from the IRGC and Hezbollah. The majority of these attacks have targeted objectives in and around Damascus. The latest round of Israeli attacks is different, though, in that Israel has apparently targeted Iran-linked objectives — specifically, weapons destined for Hezbollah —in very close proximity to the most important Russian military hub in Syria. Perhaps, Israel has even deliberately targeted a facility at the air base itself, although that remains unclear. In either scenario, the incident is concerning for Russia and Syria in terms of air defenses. Khmeimim is the major hub for [Russian air defense systems]() in the country, although [repeated attacks by drones]() have raised previous questions about [just how resilient this defensive umbrella is](). Its current status is murky. On one hand tactics should have improved after years or war in Ukraine. On the other hand, Russia has shifted many air defense assets to that conflict. So, exactly what level of protection remains at the installation, at least as of yesterday, isn't clear. ![]() *A Russian Pantsir-S1 low-level air defense system in Syria in September 2019. *MAXIME POPOV/AFP via Getty Images** Israel has previously [hit targets very close to the Russian naval base at Tartus](), prompting an angered reaction from the Kremlin. Again, weapons headed to Hezbollah appear to have been the targets. Israel historically also gave Russia advance warning about its attacks on targets in Syria, although this may well no longer be the case. For its part, Israel almost never comments on attacks of this kind within Syria, and satellite imagery of the base is so far inconclusive. The available low-resolution imagery from this morning shows everywhere but some of the main apron and core of the base’s operations and administration area but with no obvious damage or smoke. If this attack was indeed within the perimeter of the air base, it would appear that Israel has now decided that the risk is one worth taking if it’s to succeed in intercepting weapons before they get into the hands of Hezbollah in Lebanon. It would also indicate that this installation, while still technically belonging to the Assad regime, is being used for weapons transfers which Russia would likely be privy to. This would be a major change in what is publicly known about how this Russian-leased installation is used. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()