Israel’s military announced on Thursday that its special forces conducted a raid in September on an underground missile production facility in Syria, which was reportedly set to manufacture hundreds of precision missiles intended for use against Israel by the Iranian-supported Hezbollah.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani described the site near Masyaf, located close to the Mediterranean coast, as “the flagship of Iranian manufacturing efforts in our region” during a briefing with journalists.

He explained that the facility was engineered to produce hundreds of strategic missiles annually, intended for Hezbollah’s aerial assaults on Israel. The plant, which was excavated into a mountainside, had been monitored by Israeli forces since its construction began in 2017 and was nearing operational capability to produce precision-guided missiles, some with ranges extending up to 300 km (190 miles).

“This capability was becoming operational, indicating an immediate threat,” he stated.

While details of the raid on September 8 had been covered by Israeli media, Shoshani noted that this was the first official acknowledgment from the military, which typically refrains from commenting on special forces missions. At that time, Syrian state media reported that at least 16 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the western region of the country.

Shoshani characterized the nighttime operation as “one of the more complex missions the IDF has executed in recent years,” involving airstrikes, dozens of aircraft, and approximately 100 troops deployed via helicopters.

At the conclusion of the operation, the troops took it upon themselves to dismantle the facility, including the machinery and manufacturing equipment, he stated. The military released video footage depicting Israeli forces boarding and disembarking from helicopters, as well as navigating what seems to be a concrete-lined tunnel and industrial area, where they reviewed various documents. Additional footage showcased senior commanders at a control center, seemingly overseeing the ongoing operation.

Israeli officials have accused the previous Syrian administration under President Bashar al-Assad of facilitating the transfer of arms from Iran to the Lebanese-based Hezbollah movement, asserting their commitment to halting the influx of weapons into Lebanon. As Assad’s regime weakened towards the end of the previous year, Israel initiated a series of strikes targeting Syrian military infrastructure and weapons manufacturing facilities to prevent them from being seized by adversaries.