Israel Launches Devastating Strike on Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus

8 December, 2024 The airbase after the strike. Source: Middle East in Ukrainian Israel carried out a powerful strike on the Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, a former stronghold of the Assad regime's air force.

The footage was shared by Middle East observer Urich on his Telegram channel, Middle East in Ukrainian. The strike was launched after opposition forces took control of the Mezzeh Air Base. Urich explained that although Israel had previously targeted the airbase, this attack was unprecedented in scale.

It is generally known that the airbase was used mainly as a logistics center where weapons and ammunition were stored. This is confirmed by the presence of large reinforced concrete shelters and by analyzing images that show high activity of various vehicles.

In addition, the video clearly shows the secondary detonation of ammunition. There is also information that Mezzeh was used as a prison for opponents of the regime and as Assad's personal airport. Having checked satellite images of the airbase over a long period of time, we can conclude that Mezzeh was mainly used as a base for helicopters even before the civil war.

Satellite images of reinforced concrete airfield shelters for 2013-2023

It can be assumed that in this way, the Israeli government is trying to destroy the remnants of weapons and equipment left after the overthrow of Assad, and thus prevent the possibility of transferring these weapons to enemy formations.

In addition, Israel may seek to minimize the offensive potential of the troops of the future Syrian government, if it is formed.

On the night of December 8, the 24-year authoritarian rule of Bashar al-Assad was ended, and the troops were asked to lay down their arms.

It is known that the former dictator fled Syria and is now in Moscow, according to Russian media reports.