Israeli warplanes conducted late-night airstrikes on military sites in Syria’s Latakia and Tartus provinces on Sunday, targeting critical infrastructure, including military bases and ammunition depots. The strikes, confirmed by an aircraft observation post, are the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in Syria aimed at neutralizing potential threats.

The attacks reportedly caused a massive explosion in the village of Hiresun, located in Tartus province. While specific details on casualties or damage remain unclear, the strikes were said to have targeted air defense systems and surface-to-surface missile depots, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Series of Targeted Airstrikes

Israel has routinely carried out airstrikes in Syria since the Syrian Civil War began, with the stated goal of countering Iranian entrenchment in the region and disrupting the supply lines of armed groups like Hezbollah. Sunday’s strikes continue this pattern, focusing on Syria’s coastal areas, which host key military facilities.

Military analysts view the operation as part of a broader effort by Israel to degrade Syria’s air defense capabilities and prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile groups operating near its borders. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on the recent airstrikes, adhering to their standard practice of withholding confirmation of specific operations.

Explosion Linked to Earthquake Detection

Shortly after the strikes, the Geographic Survey of Israel’s seismology department detected a 3.1 magnitude earthquake at 11:49 p.m. local time. The tremor was recorded near the coast of Syria, approximately 28 kilometers off Banias, at a depth of 32 kilometers.

Hebrew-language media outlets speculated that the seismic activity may have been caused by the intensity of the explosions in Tartus province. However, no official confirmation has been provided linking the tremor to the strikes. Earthquakes of this magnitude are generally mild, but their timing alongside the airstrikes has raised questions.

Syrian state media has not issued an official response regarding the earthquake or its potential connection to the attacks. The unusual occurrence, however, has drawn attention from observers in the region, further emphasizing the destructive impact of the strikes.

Ongoing Tensions in Syria

The targeted strikes come amid heightened regional tensions as Israel remains committed to countering perceived threats from Iran and its proxies in Syria. Syria’s coastal provinces, including Latakia and Tartus, are key strategic areas that house significant military assets, including Russian-operated facilities.

Israel’s ongoing operations in Syria continue to exacerbate the country’s instability, already burdened by years of conflict. For civilians in the affected areas, the strikes are a grim reminder of the prolonged turbulence that has plagued the region.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the aftermath of the attacks is still being assessed, and the full scale of the damage remains unknown. With neither Israeli nor Syrian officials offering detailed statements, the international community closely monitors the situation.

As tensions persist, Sunday’s airstrikes and their suspected link to seismic activity underscore the volatile dynamics of military action in Syria, where the collateral impact continues to ripple far beyond the immediate targets.