Syria Blames Israel for Strikes on Military Research Center

Latest Developments

The Syrian regime’s official news agency reported multiple Israeli strikes on September 8 in the area of Masyaf, where the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) — a major military research institution — is located. Denouncing Israel’s “blatant aggression,” Syria claimed that 18 people were killed in the attacks. Iran, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, condemned what its foreign ministry called a “criminal attack.”

Unnamed regional intelligence sources told Reuters that SSRC was the target of the Israeli strike, adding that the facility is currently hosting “a team of Iranian experts involved in weapons production.” Israel has repeatedly struck SSRC facilities as part of its campaign against the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, especially missiles. SSRC also serves as the hub of Syria’s chemical weapons program. The Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations have all sanctioned SSRC and/or its affiliates for their chemical weapons activities.

Expert Analysis

“Syria is a critical corridor that the regime in Tehran continues to exploit to equip Hezbollah with ever more sophisticated weapons. Israel has waged a campaign in Syria over the past several years to thwart Iranian attempts to use the country as a forward command for its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and to deprive Hezbollah of the advanced capabilities it desires to threaten Israel.” —Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“While Hamas and Hezbollah are on the front lines of the Iranian-led war against Israel, Syria remains an integral part of the ‘Axis of Resistance’ and provides critical support behind the lines. Syria also provides critical real estate for Tehran and its proxies, connecting them to each other and giving them more room to operate. Rather than letting Syria become a sanctuary for its enemies, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on targets there since 2013.” — David Adesnik, FDD Senior Fellow and Director of Research

Iranian Entrenchment in Syria

The IRGC’s Quds Force (IRGC-QF) has provided crucial support to the regime of Bashar al-Assad since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. On Assad’s behalf, Quds Force personnel have organized, trained, and commanded an array of primarily Shia militias from across the region. The IRGC-QF has also exploited its freedom of action in Syria to ship advanced weapons to Hezbollah, especially precision-guided munitions. In addition, the Quds Force has sought to establish military infrastructure that would serve Tehran’s purposes in the future. In response, Jerusalem has launched hundreds of airstrikes against Iranian, Hezbollah, and militia targets to prevent both their entrenchment in Syria and the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah.

Related Analysis

“Alleged Israeli Airstrike Kills Iranian Military Advisor in Syria,” FDD Flash Brief

“Alleged Israeli Airstrike in Syria Kills IRGC Officer and Hezbollah Members,” FDD Flash Brief

“At Least Two Reported Killed in Alleged Israeli Airstrike in Damascus,” FDD Flash Brief