Exclusive report: Israeli Special Forces Unveil Secret Operation Many Ways Targeting Iranian Missile Factory in Syria.

On January 2, 2025, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed an extraordinary operation in Syria on September 8, 2024, through a video publication showcasing the historic mission. The operation, dubbed "Operation Many Ways," involved a daring and highly secretive assault aimed at dismantling an Iranian-funded underground missile production facility located in the Masyaf region, Syria.
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Screenshot from IDF video showing Israeli Special Forces from the Shaldag Unit infiltrating the Iranian missile development site in Syria during "Operation Many Ways. (Picture source: Israeli Defense Forces)

The video, released by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), provided exclusive footage and insights into the complexity and success of this high-stakes operation. The target, known as "Deep Layer," was a key site in the development and production of precision-guided munitions used by Iranian-backed forces and supplied to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The operation was conducted by an elite Israeli special forces unit, the Shaldag Unit, in coordination with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and the Israeli Navy.

The Shaldag Unit is part of Israel’s air force and specializes in special operations, including counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, and sabotage missions behind enemy lines. Their role in this mission was vital, as the operation required highly skilled soldiers capable of conducting high-risk covert operations. With intelligence confirming that the Syrian regime, still under Bashar al-Assad's control at the time, had allowed Iranian forces to use this facility, the IDF decided to take decisive action. The mission aimed to eliminate one of Iran’s flagship projects for arming Hezbollah and other regional adversaries.

The operation, which has now been disclosed to the public, was a joint effort by multiple Israeli military branches, including the elite Shaldag Unit of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), as well as the IAF and Israeli Navy. With intelligence confirming that the Syrian regime, still under Bashar al-Assad's control at the time, had allowed Iranian forces to use this facility, the IDF decided to take decisive action. The mission aimed to eliminate one of Iran’s flagship projects for arming Hezbollah and other regional adversaries.

The Israeli commandos, numbering approximately 120 soldiers, included a substantial contingent from the Shaldag Unit, an elite air force special operations unit, as well as members from Unit 669, an expert combat search-and-rescue force. The mission’s objective was to destroy the "Deep Layer" facility, a subterranean complex that had been a critical hub for Iran’s missile production activities in Syria.

In the evening hours of September 8, 2024, Israeli forces initiated their covert operation. The target site was located more than 200 kilometers from the Israeli border, deep within Syrian territory and around 45 kilometers from the Syrian coast. The team, comprising 100 Shaldag soldiers and 20 Unit 669 operators, embarked on the mission aboard four large transport helicopters.

The operation’s execution was as complex as it was daring. The transport helicopters, along with two additional helicopters providing close air support, made their way across the Mediterranean Sea, skirting Lebanon’s coastline before crossing into Syria. To provide maximum support, the IDF mobilized 21 fighter jets, five drones, and 14 reconnaissance aircraft. The latter, along with additional Israeli aircraft kept in reserve, provided surveillance, air cover, and immediate response capabilities in case the operation encountered unexpected resistance.

As the helicopters approached the Syrian coastline, the IDF forces maintained a low altitude flight to avoid detection by Syrian radar and anti-aircraft defenses. The 18-minute flight from the Lebanese coast to the target area was executed under complete secrecy, with additional bombing operations carried out by the IAF and the Israeli Navy to create distractions and mask the movements of the special forces.

Upon reaching the facility, the commandos swiftly infiltrated the underground complex and planted explosives to neutralize the target. The mission was executed with precision, and the explosives were detonated in a massive blast that was felt by some soldiers like a "mini-earthquake." The entire operation lasted approximately two and a half hours, and it was reported that at least 30 Syrian soldiers guarding the facility were killed during the attack.

Remarkably, the operation resulted in no casualties on the Israeli side. None of the Shaldag Special Forces or Unit 669 personnel were injured during the mission, despite the dangerous and high-risk environment they were operating in. The precision of the assault, coupled with the overwhelming air and ground support provided by the Israeli military, ensured that the special forces completed their task without facing significant resistance.

The Israeli military confirmed that, following the operation, the "Deep Layer" facility was rendered non-operational and that Iran had completely withdrawn from Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The site, once a critical asset in Iran's efforts to supply advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, was no longer in use, marking a significant strategic victory for Israel in its ongoing efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region.

"Operation Many Ways" represents a major achievement for the Israeli military, underscoring the effectiveness of Israel's Special Forces and its ability to carry out highly sophisticated operations deep behind enemy lines. With the destruction of the "Deep Layer" missile production facility, the IDF dealt a significant blow to Iran's efforts to arm its regional proxies, particularly Hezbollah. The success of the operation also serves as a testament to the tight coordination between Israeli military units, the IAF, and the Israeli Navy, ensuring that Israel’s national security interests are safeguarded in an increasingly volatile region.

As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, the consequences of this operation reverberate across the Middle East, sending a clear message to Iran and its allies about Israel's determination and capability to act swiftly and decisively against any threats to its security.