Israel destroys 20 IT Corps sites of Assad’s fallen regime

JERUSALEM

Israeli airstrikes targeted and destroyed approximately 20 sites belonging to the Information Technology (IT) Corps of Syria’s deposed regime, Israeli army radio reported on Saturday.

According to the report, Israeli warplanes conducted a series of attacks overnight, striking IT Corps locations equipped with advanced communication and electronic warfare systems.

These operations were carried out to prevent the technology from potentially falling into the hands of adversarial groups, the radio said.

The strikes targeted various locations, including Damascus, Sweida, Masyaf, Latakia, and Tartus.

The Israeli daily Maariv added that the Israeli army continues to dismantle remnants of the Syrian army.

"Israeli army operations against what remains of the Syrian military assets are ongoing," the newspaper said.

A senior Israeli military official cited by the daily revealed that the decision to intensify strikes was made last week as it became clear that Assad’s regime and its army were collapsing.

“We aimed to destroy most of the Syrian army’s strategic assets to ensure they do not fall into the hands of Hezbollah or extremist factions among the rebels,” the official noted.

The destruction of Syrian air defense systems, the report added, gives the Israeli army enhanced freedom of operation, including potential missions in Iranian airspace.

Dictator Bashar Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8 after anti-regime groups seized control of Damascus. The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities across the country in a swift offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi