The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) believes it was a failed anti-aircraft missile that exploded not far from the Dimona nuclear reactor; The missile was originally intended for Israeli F16s in the region.
An explosion occurred close to Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor site overnight on Wednesday, prompting a response by the IDF in the Syrian city of Dumair, which is located northeast of Damascus. According to the IDF, the explosion took place after a Syrian surface-to-air missile landed in the region.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) was conducting an operation following the arrival of new weapons to the region earlier on Wednesday. They believe that this Syrian missile failed to make contact, causing it to land near the nuclear site. In response, Israel targeted the launcher that deployed the missile and other Iranian-sponsored interests in the region.
The IDF added in a statement, “Due to a surface to air missile entering Israeli territory, air defense systems were activated.” However, Israel’s air-defense system failed to intercept the Syrian missile.
While Syrian state media claimed to intercept most of what was launched in Israel’s retaliatory strike, it acknowledged that at least four soldiers were injured, and material damage took place.
This Syrian missile that failed to hit its target during Israel’s initial airstrike is reported to have been an SA-5 surface-to-air missile, which was likely launched from southern Syria.
