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The Israeli military used Spike NLOS [None-Line-Of-Sight] missiles in the October 30 strike that targeted the northwestern suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus, Israel’s Ynet News reported on November 1, citing Syrian media sources.
The Spike NLOS, also known as “Tamuz,” is a precision-guided missile with a range of up to 25 kilometers. The missile is equipped with an CCD/EO-IIR seeker and a secure data-line which enables “man-in-the-loop” guidance.
Ynet News said that the target of the October 30 strike was an Iranian weapons shipment that was on its way to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This is yet to be verified.
The information provided by the Israeli military does not add up. The area hit during the strike is located more than 45 kilometers away from the nearest Israeli military position in the occupied Golan Heights, well out of the Spike NLOS known range.
A recent report by the Russian Reconciliation Center said that the strike was carried out by four F-16 fighter jets which fired eight IMI Delilah missiles. This makes more sense as the range of the loitering missile is 250 kilometers.
Early on November 3, the Israeli military carried out a second strike on Damascus, this time targeting the southern suburbs of the capital.
Israel rarely release any information on its strikes on Syria. This leaves much room in the media for speculations and unverified claims.
