Lois Larson
Israel has carried out strikes on Syria's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging their runways and rendering them out of service. The attacks, which Israel has not officially acknowledged, are believed to be aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines to Syria and curbing the influence of its arch-foe, Iran, in the region. Syria has denied Tehran's extensive military presence in the country, but Iran has deepened its support for President Bashar al-Assad since the country's civil war began in 2011.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of attack | October 12, 2023 |
| Airports attacked | Damascus, Aleppo |
| Damage caused | Runways damaged, airports put out of service |
| Reason for attack | To disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria, and to divert attention from the conflict with Hamas in Gaza |
| Israel's response | Israel rarely comments on individual strikes, but has said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria |
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What You'll Learn
Israel's motive: divert attention from the Hamas conflict in Gaza
Israel has been accused of attacking Syria's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging their runways and knocking them out of service. Syrian state media reported that the Israeli attacks were a bid to distract the world's attention from Israel's war with Hamas militants in Gaza.
Israel has a history of carrying out strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria, including previous attacks on the same airports. These strikes are believed to be aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines to Syria, given the close relationship between Syria and Iran. Tehran's influence in Syria has deepened since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that began in 2011.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been ongoing since 2007, with multiple military escalations and wars occurring during this period. The most recent escalation began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in significant casualties. In response, Israel launched an intensive bombing campaign and invaded Gaza with the stated objective of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages.
The war in Gaza has been devastating for the Palestinian population, with over 52,000 reported deaths and over 110,000 injuries. Israel has caused widespread destruction, tightened its blockade, and cut off basic necessities, leading to a severe hunger crisis. Israel's actions have also targeted Hamas leaders and infrastructure, with Netanyahu vowing to drive Hamas "from the face of the Earth."
By attacking Syria's airports, Israel may have sought to divert attention from its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread condemnation and accusations of war crimes. The strike on Syria could have been an attempt to shift the focus of international media and public opinion by creating a new development in a different theater of conflict.
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Syria's response: Syrian air defences activated
Syrian state media reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted the international airports in Damascus, the capital of Syria, and the northern city of Aleppo, damaging their runways and rendering them inoperable. In response to the attacks on the two airports, Syrian air defences were activated, according to Sham FM television channel.
The Israeli military, which rarely comments on its operations, did not immediately release a statement on the attacks. Israel has, however, carried out numerous strikes on targets within government-controlled areas of Syria in the past, including strikes on the Aleppo and Damascus airports, which are believed to be aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines to Syria.
The Syrian military reported that Israeli jets struck an air defence battery after a Syrian anti-aircraft rocket exploded over Israeli territory in July 2023. This incident prompted a response from Syrian air defences, which targeted the Israeli jets.
The activation of Syrian air defences in response to the attacks on the airports demonstrates Syria's attempt to protect its critical infrastructure and deter further aggression. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Syria, with Syria condemning the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and calling for an end to Israeli strikes on its territory.
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Israel's history of strikes on Syria
Israel has a history of conducting strikes on Syria, with the Israeli military carrying out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years. These strikes are rarely acknowledged or discussed by the Israeli government.
In May 2023, Israeli air raids struck Aleppo airport, killing three people and putting the airport out of commission. Israel has also targeted Syria's main airports in Damascus and Aleppo, damaging runways and rendering them out of service. These strikes are believed to be aimed at disrupting Iranian supply lines, as Syria and Iran are close allies.
In December 2024, Israel conducted several airstrikes across southern Syria, targeting airbases, ammo depots, and naval assets. These strikes destroyed dozens of fighter jets, helicopters, and the entire Syrian naval fleet. Israel also struck radar and air defense systems in Syrian cities, using heavy munitions. The Israeli military stated that these strikes were intended to prevent the deployment of forces south of Damascus and to protect the Druze community, a religious minority in Syria.
The Israeli invasion of Syria in 2024 led to extensive aerial and naval strikes on Syrian military targets, destroying the country's military capabilities, including its navy and chemical weapons stockpiles. Israel's campaign faced international condemnation and was accused of violating international law.
Israel has also conducted drone strikes in Syria, killing several civilians and targeting weapon storage sites. These strikes are often justified as a response to attacks on Israeli soldiers or as a means to deter hostile moves by the Syrian government.
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Syrian condemnation: an attempt to export its crisis
The Syrian Civil War has resulted in numerous human rights abuses, political repression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Assad government. This has led to international condemnation and widespread calls for Bashar al-Assad to be convicted in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The conflict has caused a massive displacement crisis, with a projected 7.2 million internally displaced people and 6.2 million refugees as of 2025. Syrian refugees, mostly women and children, make up a significant portion of the population in neighbouring countries like Lebanon.
The Syrian government's violent response to protests during the early period of the civil war was met with international criticism. The Arab League, European Union, the United Nations, and several Western governments condemned the violence and supported the protesters' right to free speech. Additionally, there have been reports of journalists being kidnapped or killed while covering the conflict, further exacerbating the condemnation of the Syrian government's actions.
The conflict has also had a significant impact on the region's stability, with Syrian Kurds feeling excluded from peace talks and protesting for better representation. The Syrian Democratic Council accused Turkey of vetoing their representation, highlighting the complex dynamics within the country. The war has led to strained relations with neighbouring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, which now seeks a political solution to the crisis.
Furthermore, the Syrian authorities have been criticised for restricting the entry of humanitarian aid, which is desperately needed to address the deepening poverty and protect the lives of millions of civilians affected by the conflict. The UN and humanitarian organisations have been actively providing aid, but restrictive host country practices have created challenges in delivering assistance to those in need.
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Israel's response: no comment
Israel has a policy of not commenting on its military operations in Syria and did not release any immediate statement on the attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) do not comment on specific strikes in Syria, although they have admitted to carrying out hundreds of sorties against Iran-backed groups in Syria over the last decade. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes it carries out on Syria, but it has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran, which supports Assad's government, to expand its presence in the country.
The Israeli military said it does not comment on reports of strikes on Syria. Israel has for years carried out strikes against what it describes as Iran-linked targets in Syria, including against the Aleppo and Damascus airports. The strikes are intended to disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since the country began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that started in 2011.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, including attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The Israeli military, which does not typically comment on its operations, did not confirm or deny the attacks on the Syrian airports.
The Syrian government has accused Israel of trying to divert attention from the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Syrian state media described the strikes as a "desperate attempt" by Israel to "divert attention" away from the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack as an attempt by Israel to "export its crisis".
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Frequently asked questions
Israel attacked Syria's airports to disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria. Iran has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war since 2011.
The international airports in Syria's capital, Damascus, and the northern city of Aleppo were attacked, damaging runways and putting them out of service.
Syrian air defences were activated in response to the attacks. Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack, calling it an attempt by Israel to "export its crisis".
The Israeli military does not typically comment on its operations. However, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, confirmed the strike on Damascus airport, saying it was intended to prevent "weapons deliveries from Iran".
