The Telegraph reported that up to 30 missiles targeted munitions at the Russian operated Khmeimim Air Base in the port city of Latakia, Syria. The strike is believed to be part of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) efforts to target Iranian assets in Syria. Geopolitical analyst Michael Horowitz told The Telegraph:
Israel is bound to launch airstrikes against any Syrian airport that lets Iranian planes in. Tehran probably thought its best shot was to use Khmeimim because of the Russian presence.
According to Syria TV reporter Abdullah Almousa, the strike targeted a Russian warehouse on the base shortly after the arrival of an Iranian cargo plane. He noted on X:
Sources to Syria TV: Israeli bombing targeted a warehouse inside the Russian Khmeimim base Israeli bombing targeted other military sites in Latakia Governorate, coinciding with the strike on the warehouse inside the Khmeimim base. Israel bombed the base an hour after the arrival of an Iranian plane belonging to the “Qashim Fars” airline. The Israeli bombing did not target the stands and towers at the Khmeimim base and Latakia civilian airport. The Israeli bombardment began at 3:55 and ended at 4:41, with thirty missiles fired from naval battleships.
Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov recommended that Russian citizens leave Israel while they still have the opportunity. He cited security risks following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, stating in an interview with TASS:
With regard to the current extreme aggravation, we reinforce this recommendation [not to visit Israel] and even suggest that those citizens who are now in Israel think about leaving this territory while there are such opportunities in the form of ongoing regular flights operated by a number of airlines.
