‘Operation Deep Layer’: IDF takes responsibility for daring, covert raid deep in Syrian territory

In the wake of the collapse of the Assad regime, Israel on Wednesday confirmed for the first time reports of a covert raid deep within Syrian territory that destroyed an Iranian research center for advanced missiles last September.

The night-time raid dubbed “Operation Deep Layer” targeted a facility of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center (CERS), which in recent years was partly taken over by the Iranian regime and used to produce advanced weapons.

The large underground complex was located in the mountains near the town of Masyaf, hundreds of kilometers north of Israel, and deep within Syrian territory – some 40 km (25 miles) north of the Lebanese border and around the same distance from the Mediterranean coast.

According to Israeli media reports, IDF troops from the Air Force’s elite Shaldag and 669 commando units covertly infiltrated Syria with helicopters, rappelled down and raided the research center.

The reports suggest that apart from the complex being underground, the reason Israel didn’t simply bomb the center from the air was that Shaldag soldiers captured documents from there, before rigging it with explosives and detonating the complex remotely.

The operation concluded successfully, without any losses on the Israeli side. The commando soldiers retreated under the cover of heavy airstrikes that, according to Syrian reports, resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people and wounded around 46 others.

“This is one of the most dangerous and brave commando operations that the IDF has carried out in recent years outside the country’s borders, in a heroic manner and with great risks, but with careful planning by the Air Force that led to the desired result: Destroying a critical strategic capability of Iran in Syria, dozens of kilometers from Israel,” a military source told Ynet News.

The research facility was reportedly operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah operatives.

The Israeli confirmation did not mention reports that a Russian communications center was also targeted, that three Syrians were said to have been killed in an exchange of fire, or that several Iranians were captured.

At the time, the news outlet Axios cited sources stating that Israel briefed the Biden administration ahead of the operation.

Axios added that the underground facility was built by Iran in 2018, after much of the regime’s missile production capabilities had been destroyed by Israeli strikes.

The location in the mountains near Masyaf was chosen due to its proximity to the Lebanese border to enable quick weapon transfers to Hezbollah, the report added.

Unit 669 is the Israel Air Force's tactical rescue unit, and its soldiers specialize in aerial rescue missions while also being highly trained commando fighters.

Shaldag is one of the IDF’s three most highly rated, secretive commando units, next to the Navy’s Shayetet 13 and the Intelligence Directorate’s Sayeret Matkal.

Shaldag’s main mission is special reconnaissance while infiltrating hostile environments undetected, in addition to quickly creating assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control and commando activities.