The “Adir” jets first flight in Israel Pictured: “Adir” jet and F-16I “Sufa”. Photo by: Maj. Ofer
Planet Laps PBC has released satellite images showing the aftermath of the December 28 Israeli attack on the port of Lattakia on the Syrian coast.
The images, which were taken on December 29, show limited destruction at the port where some fires are still burning. The target of the attack, which was carried out by two F-16 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force, was apparently four stacks of shipping containers which were stored in the port’s main shipping yard.
Some observers speculated that the target was a shipment of Iranian weapons or missile components. However, photos from the strike scene showed nothing but ordinary goods.
Satellite imagery through the clouds this morning captured Latakia Port, #Syria showing firefighter crews still battling what appears to be the final remains of the blaze caused by the reported #Israel|i strike. Two areas impact it seems. (via @planet) pic.twitter.com/stNiB8vE2Y
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) December 29, 2021
Our friends at @planet got a high resolution image of the post-strike damage at Latakia port. Those aren’t clouds — it’s haze from the fires started by the strike. pic.twitter.com/g0e87RiY82
— Dr. Jeffrey Lewis (@ArmsControlWonk) December 29, 2021
In a recent briefing, Oleg Zhuravlev, Deputy Head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, revealed that Syria didn’t activate its air defenses to stop the Israeli attack on the port because an aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces was landing at the nearby Hmeimim Air Base at the time.
The Israeli attack didn’t result in material losses only. According to Syrian pro-government sources, two people were killed. At least one of the victims was a service member.
This was the second Israeli attack on Lattakia port since the outbreak of the war in Syria. The first attack, which took place on December 7, targeted several containers which were also stored in the port’s main shipping yard. The containers were destroyed in the attack. However, no casualties were reported.
As in most cases, the Israeli military didn’t confirm its responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, the Israeli media is yet to reveal the nature of the target that was destroyed at Lattakia port.
