The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has unveiled footage and details of one of its most daring and intricate commando missions to date, which took place in September. During this high-stakes operation, 120 elite troops targeted and destroyed a clandestine Iranian missile manufacturing plant located deep within Syria.
Dubbed “Operation Many Ways” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the mission sought to dismantle an underground facility used by Iranian forces to produce precision-guided missiles. These missiles were intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria’s Assad regime. Known as “Deep Layer” by Israeli intelligence, the facility was embedded in a mountain at the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), or CERS, in Masyaf, Syria, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of the Israeli border and 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Syria’s western coastline.
The Execution of the Mission
The elite Shaldag unit, in coordination with the IAF’s Unit 669 search and rescue team, successfully carried out the operation. Key outcomes include:
- Destruction of the Facility: The underground missile production site was demolished using explosives.
- Casualties: Syrian sources estimate that between 13 and 30 soldiers lost their lives. Israeli forces, however, sustained no injuries during the 2.5-hour ground operation.
Historical Context and Significance
This operation represents one of Israel’s most audacious strikes against Iran’s weapons network in the region, occurring three months prior to the fall of Damascus. At the time, Syria’s air defense systems still posed a credible threat.
- Years of Surveillance: Israeli intelligence monitored the site’s development for over five years, showcasing the meticulous planning behind the mission.
- Operational Challenges: The raid was postponed twice due to the high risks involved.
- International Coordination: Israel informed the United States before launching the mission.
Operation Many Ways not only neutralized a key strategic asset in Iran’s regional arsenal but also demonstrated Israel’s capability to conduct complex, long-range operations deep in enemy territory.