DAMASCUS, Syria — In a significant escalation, an Israeli airstrike targeted the international airport in Aleppo, the largest city in northern Syria, early Wednesday morning. This attack resulted in substantial damage to the airport facilities, rendering them temporarily non-operational, according to reports from Syria’s state news agency. This incident marks the second assault on this critical infrastructure within the month, raising concerns over the ongoing conflict and its implications for regional stability.

According to SANA, the state news agency, an unnamed military official stated that Israeli warplanes launched missiles targeting Aleppo while flying over the Mediterranean Sea. The report did not mention any casualties resulting from the strikes, which could suggest a focus on infrastructure rather than personnel. However, the impact of such military actions on civilian life and humanitarian efforts remains a critical concern amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.

Bassem Mansour, the head of Syria’s civil aviation authority, informed the pro-government Sham FM radio station that the airstrike caused significant damage to the airport’s runway, effectively putting the entire airport out of service. He also indicated that repair work has commenced and expressed optimism that “the airport will resume operations within a short period.” This development is crucial as the airport plays a vital role in facilitating humanitarian aid and commercial flights in the region.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization that monitors the conflict, reported that alongside the damage to the airport, the airstrike also destroyed a nearby arms depot used by Iranian-backed militias. This adds another layer of complexity to the military dynamics in Syria, highlighting the intersection of local conflicts and broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran and its proxies in the region.

The airport in Aleppo has been a crucial lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Syria, especially following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, which resulted in over 50,000 fatalities, including more than 6,000 in Syria alone. The ongoing military operations significantly jeopardize the ability to provide essential relief to affected populations, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis already present in the region.

Earlier this month, an Israeli airstrike similarly rendered the airport inoperable for several days, forcing flights to be redirected to two other airports in the war-ravaged country until repairs could be completed. This pattern of targeting vital infrastructure underscores the ongoing strategic military objectives pursued by Israel, which have significant implications for the humanitarian situation in the country.

Israel has conducted numerous strikes against targets within government-controlled regions of Syria in recent years, including frequent operations against the airports in Damascus and Aleppo. However, the Israeli government typically refrains from discussing or acknowledging these military actions publicly, maintaining a policy of ambiguity regarding its operational strategies in the Syrian conflict.

Despite this, Israel has openly stated that its military objectives include targeting bases associated with Iran-allied militant groups, such as Hezbollah from Lebanon, which has deployed thousands of fighters to support Syrian President Bashar Assad and his forces. This ongoing military engagement reflects Israel’s broader strategy to counter Iranian influence in the region, which is viewed as a significant threat to its national security.

In addition to airports, Israel has increasingly focused its military operations on seaports within government-held territories. This strategy appears to be aimed at disrupting Iranian arms shipments to militant groups backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah, further complicating the already volatile security situation in the region. Such actions are indicative of the broader geopolitical struggles involving multiple state and non-state actors within Syria.

Late Wednesday, the Israeli military reported that a drone had crashed in Syria during a “routine operation.” They emphasized that no sensitive information had been compromised and that an investigation into the incident is underway. This incident highlights the ongoing complexities and challenges faced by military forces operating in such a dynamic and conflict-ridden environment.