In what could be a decisive display of military precision and strategic dominance, Syrian officials have reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a powerful airstrike on Sunday afternoon, targeting the Khalkhalah Air Base in Syria’s Sweida province. The operation, reported by Syrian state media, sent shockwaves through the region as deafening explosions echoed across the sky, accompanied by the unmistakable roar of Israeli fighter jets. However, as of this printing, Israel has not confirmed that they were responsible for the strike that has been seen in several videos.
What leads many to believe this was Israel's operation and not another force like Hezbollah or a rival Islamist group is that this latest strike came less than 24 hours after the IDF obliterated a Hamas weapons depot in Syria, marking an unrelenting offensive against terrorist infrastructure entrenched within the war-torn nation. According to intelligence sources, Hamas has been actively using Syrian territory, under the auspices of Iran, to funnel weapons and coordinate attacks against Israel.
Eyewitnesses in Sweida reported intense blasts emanating from the Khalkhalah military installation, a site long suspected of housing strategic military assets aligned with Iranian-backed militias. The pro-Iranian Iraqi news agency, Sabereen News, also confirmed the strikes, squarely attributing the operation to Israel.
One of the Israeli Air Force's daytime strikes on the Khalkhala military airfield in southern Syria.
— Dana Levi דנה🇮🇱🇺🇸 (@Danale) February 9, 2025
HTS has to be destroyed. pic.twitter.com/ouI5u4B6II
A Relentless Pursuit of Security
On Saturday, the IDF officially acknowledged a separate, high-stakes mission that destroyed a Hamas weapons warehouse in Syria’s Deir Ali region. Military officials revealed that the cache stored at the site was designated for imminent terrorist operations against Israeli forces. The precision strike, guided by critical intelligence from the IDF’s Northern Command, ensured that these lethal arms would never reach their intended targets.
Syrian sources concurrently reported additional Israeli airstrikes in the Tal al-Manea region, located on the outskirts of Damascus—further demonstrating Israel’s unwavering commitment to neutralizing emerging threats before they can materialize.
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— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 9, 2025
Syrian media: Alleged Israeli airstrike hits Khalkhalah airbase in Suwayda. No IDF comment yet. Last strike on the base was in December amid Assad’s fall. pic.twitter.com/p8AVZrWuuu
IDF's Clear Warning to Terrorist Networks
Following the operations, the IDF issued a firm and unambiguous statement:
“Palestinian terrorist organizations, led by Hamas, are exploiting Syrian territory to establish terrorist operations under Iranian direction. The IDF will continue to target Hamas wherever it attempts to entrench itself and will act against any efforts by terrorist organizations to expand their capabilities, in order to eliminate threats to Israel’s security.”
This statement underscores Israel’s resolute stance—any attempt by Hamas, Hezbollah, or other Iranian proxies to fortify their positions within Syria will be met with swift and decisive military action. The IDF has made it clear that Israel’s security is non-negotiable, and no safe haven will be granted to those who seek to orchestrate terror from across its borders.
Syrian media report an alleged Israeli airstrike at the Khalkhalah airbase in Suwayda in southern Syria.
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 9, 2025
There is no immediate comment from the IDF.
The IDF last struck the airbase in December, during the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. pic.twitter.com/EPWBS61v8F
Strategic Implications and Regional Fallout
Israel’s proactive strategy against terrorist networks in Syria signals a broader regional message: Tehran’s proxies will not be allowed to expand their influence unchecked. With Iranian-backed groups increasingly seeking footholds in Syria, the IDF remains vigilant, ensuring that the axis of terror is continually disrupted.
Israel strikes Hamas arms warehouse in Syria
— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) February 9, 2025
“The weapons were intended for perpetrating terror attacks against IDF forces,” the military said.
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As tensions mount in the region, the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes serves as a stark reminder that Israel will not hesitate to take preemptive action against threats—whether in Syria, Lebanon, or beyond. The IDF’s relentless operations are not just about targeting isolated weapons depots; they are a meticulously coordinated campaign to dismantle Iran’s regional ambitions and ensure that terrorist factions never gain the upper hand.
In the face of persistent threats, Israel continues to demonstrate its military superiority, unwavering intelligence capabilities, and ironclad resolve to safeguard its citizens. The message to its enemies is clear: Israel will strike first, strike hard, and strike with absolute precision to neutralize any and all threats to its sovereignty and security.
