Syria’s Military Assets Decimated: MiGs, Tanks, and Missile Systems Destroyed in Israeli Strikes

Israel has dramatically escalated its military operations in Syria, reportedly conducting over 480 strikes, including 350 launched from manned aircraft, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and CNN. These strikes have systematically targeted Syria’s military infrastructure, focusing on airfields, anti-aircraft systems, missile depots, and tanks, as well as weapon production sites across key provinces such as Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra. Israel’s operations appear aimed at neutralizing Syria’s military capabilities, countering Iranian influence, and disrupting arms transfers to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Reports indicate widespread destruction of Syrian air force assets, including MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets, and helicopters based at airfields like Mezzeh Air Base near Damascus. The strikes have decimated Syria’s air defense systems, including the SA-22 Pantsir-S1 units, with destruction rates as high as 86%. Ground forces have also been severely affected, with tanks, regiments, and barracks destroyed, including strategic positions in Quneitra and the Qalamoun Mountains. Additionally, naval assets at Latakia and Tartus ports have been incapacitated, and research facilities suspected of weapons development, such as those in Barzeh and Al-Safira, have been struck.

The scale of Israel’s operations extends beyond airstrikes. Ground forces reportedly advanced up to 25 kilometers southwest of Damascus, entering towns like Khan Arnabeh in Quneitra. Helicopter-borne troops launched raids targeting strategic military sites in areas such as Mount Qasioun and the Qalamoun region. Key command and logistical structures tied to Hezbollah and Iranian militias were also dismantled.

The attacks have hit a wide range of targets, including warehouses in Al-Sumaria and Sayyida Zeinab near Damascus, missile systems in Aleppo, and weapons depots in the eastern countryside of Tartus. Strikes on airbases such as Shayrat, T-4, and Al-Dumayr have further crippled Syria’s ability to sustain its aerial operations. Reports suggest that Israel has also focused on disrupting Iranian-backed logistics networks, including convoys transporting weapons from Iraq through Deir ez-Zor to Syria and Lebanon. Strategic locations like Al-Bukamal, a key crossing point, were among the areas hit.

The humanitarian consequences of these strikes are mounting. In Daraa, evacuations have been reported as residents flee areas affected by the ongoing destruction. Explosions and structural damage have raised fears of instability in critical infrastructure, such as the Tishreen Dam, while tremors from airstrikes have been felt in densely populated regions like Damascus and Tartus. Meanwhile, extremist groups such as ISIS have exploited the chaos, intensifying attacks in regions like the Homs desert, where at least 54 Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed.

Israel’s campaign reflects broader strategic objectives, including the establishment of buffer zones near its borders and the weakening of the Assad regime’s military capabilities. By targeting research centers linked to missile development and chemical weapons production, as well as air defense and naval assets, Israel aims to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah. However, the strikes have also highlighted shifting regional dynamics. Russia, previously a dominant force in Syria, appears to be consolidating its presence along the coast while withdrawing from inland positions. President Vladimir Putin has reportedly avoided direct engagement with Bashar al-Assad, signaling possible shifts in Moscow’s long-term strategy.

The strikes have drawn strong reactions from Hezbollah, which has reaffirmed its commitment to resisting Israeli “aggression” and accused regional powers of backing extremist groups like ISIS. Hezbollah’s statements emphasize Syria’s role as a battleground for broader geopolitical conflicts, with Iran’s logistical and financial support playing a central role in sustaining its operations. Criticism of Assad’s leadership has also grown among opposition voices, who blame the regime for failing to protect Syria’s sovereignty and for the military’s continued vulnerability.

Israel’s actions have fundamentally reshaped Syria’s military landscape. Reports suggest an overall reduction of 61% in Syria’s operational air force capacity, with up to 90% of its MiG-29 fighter jets and 80% of its Su-24 aircraft destroyed. Missile systems, including the SA-17 Buk-M1-2, have suffered losses of up to 90%, while naval forces have lost 15 ships. The destruction of weapons depots, research facilities, and key infrastructure has further degraded Syria’s ability to rebuild its military capabilities. With over 1,800 munitions deployed across 13 provinces, Israel’s strikes demonstrate a sustained effort to dismantle Syria’s strategic assets.

This escalation underscores the complex and volatile dynamics in the region, where Israel’s actions intersect with the interests of Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and other key players. As Syria faces growing instability, the long-term implications of these strikes are likely to reverberate across the Middle East, reshaping alliances and exacerbating tensions in an already fractured landscape.