Is a Russian base under threat? Israel launched significant strikes on weapon depots in Syria (photos and videos available).

On the night of Monday, December 16, the Israeli army carried out several strikes on missile and weapon storage facilities in the Syrian port city of Tartus. This location hosts a significant Russian naval base and a ship repair yard.

According to reports from The Times of Israel, Israeli aircraft targeted a number of sites in Tartus and the Syrian province of Latakia. Among the targets were facilities associated with the Russian military, including a base used by the Russian naval forces and a military ship repair yard.

"Israeli military aircraft struck several sites, including air defense units and ground-to-ground missile depots, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, marking the most significant strikes on Syria's coastal region since 2012," the article states.

It is noteworthy that on December 14, it became apparent that the Russian regime seems to have begun withdrawing its military contingent from Syrian territory. Numerous videos surfaced showing columns of Russian military equipment heading towards the port of Tartus in Latakia, where Russia maintained a naval base. Additionally, satellite images revealed ships and aircraft involved in the evacuation.

Russia had stationed missile carriers at the base in Syrian Tartus. They helped the RF maintain pressure throughout the region during the recently ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime. Following this, the Israeli army began targeting military facilities in Syria. On December 10, the IDF struck over 250 targets, including those in Latakia, where Russian bases are located. On the same day, the Israeli naval forces destroyed the Syrian military fleet.

Recall that on December 8, tanks from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) crossed the buffer zone and entered Syria. This occurred amidst the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the capture of Damascus by rebels. The IDF stated that it had deployed forces in the buffer zone to ensure the safety of communities in the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens. Israeli military forces are preparing to counter possible threats from Syrian rebels. The IDF emphasized that Israel does not interfere in the internal affairs of Syria.

As reported by "Telegraph," Israel has effectively gained full control over Syrian airspace. This came after nearly all air defense systems were destroyed during the conflict between Assad's regime and opposition forces.