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Operation Many Ways’ – Inside the Israeli Air Force’s Daring Raid on Iran’s Underground Missile Facility in Syria
By: Fern Sidman
In a revelation that underscores the precision, complexity, and audacity of modern military operations, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has recently disclosed details and footage from one of its most ambitious missions to date: Operation Many Ways. Carried out in September, this meticulously planned raid targeted and obliterated an underground Iranian missile manufacturing facility located deep within Syrian territory, according to published reports.
According to official reports, the operation’s objective was to destroy an advanced underground facility used by Iranian forces to manufacture precision-guided missiles. These missiles were reportedly intended for Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed terrorist organization in Lebanon, as well as for the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad.
The operation, described by many as a scene out of a Hollywood action movie, included precision planning, seamless execution, and the involvement of 120 elite soldiers operating undetected for over two and a half hours deep inside enemy lines.
The underground site, ominously codenamed “Deep Layer” by Israeli intelligence, was located at the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in the Masyaf region. Known locally as CERS, this center has long been identified as a hub for Syrian and Iranian missile development and chemical weapons research. Its strategic location—over 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Israel’s border and just 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Syria’s western coastline—added layers of operational complexity for the Israeli forces, as was indicated by various media sources.
Built into the heart of a mountain, the Deep Layer facility was designed not just for concealment, but also for fortification against airstrikes and conventional assaults. The subterranean complex was reportedly safeguarded by advanced air defense systems and multiple layers of physical and electronic security measures.
The Israeli military, however, viewed the facility as an unacceptable threat. Reports explained that precision missiles manufactured at the site could significantly enhance Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities, allowing the group to target Israeli cities and infrastructure with deadly accuracy.
Executed by 120 elite soldiers from two of Israel’s most prestigious special forces units—the Shaldag Unit and Unit 669—the operation required an unprecedented level of planning, secrecy, and synchronization, as was noted in published reports.
The Shaldag Unit is known for its expertise in special reconnaissance, direct action, and behind-enemy-lines operations, Shaldag played a central role in infiltrating the site and ensuring mission objectives were met with surgical precision.
Unit 669 is the Israeli Air Force’s elite combat search and rescue unit. Unit 669 provided operational support, medical assistance, and emergency extraction capabilities for the ground teams.
The teams were airlifted into the mountainous region under the cover of darkness by state-of-the-art transport helicopters. Supported by advanced intelligence-gathering systems and aerial surveillance, the commandos navigated rugged terrain and bypassed fortified checkpoints to reach the Deep Layer facility.
Upon arrival, explosives were strategically placed to ensure the facility’s complete destruction without collateral damage to nearby civilian infrastructure. Israeli officials later confirmed that the underground plant was rendered inoperable, striking a critical blow to Iran’s regional ambitions.
The Israeli Air Force released select footage showcasing the aftermath of the raid, with plumes of smoke rising from the ruins of what was once a highly secure missile production site. Media sources said that military officials declared the operation a resounding success, with all personnel returning safely despite the high-risk nature of the mission.
Media sources also indicated that while the full scope of the destruction remains classified, initial assessments suggest that Iran’s missile manufacturing capabilities in the region have been set back by years. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokespeople emphasized that the strike not only neutralized an immediate threat but also sent a clear strategic message to Iran and its regional proxies.
For years, Iran has invested heavily in developing a “ring of fire” strategy, creating missile production facilities and proxy-controlled arsenals around Israel’s borders. As the IDF Chief of Staff stated: “The operation conducted by the Shaldag Unit deep inside Syria joins a series of bold missions carried out by the IDF in recent months, spanning from the Gaza Strip, through the Dahiya district in Beirut, to Iran, all with the goal of dismantling the Iranian missile production capabilities. Iran has spent years establishing a ring of fire and missile threats along Israel’s borders, and we have struck both the infrastructure and the leadership behind it.”
Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar described the event as “a mission of critical importance to the survival of the state.”
The operation serves as yet another example of Israel’s proactive defense doctrine, where preemptive strikes are carried out to prevent emerging threats from materializing. The precision and audacity of Operation Many Ways also highlight Israel’s advanced military intelligence capabilities and the operational excellence of its special forces units.
For Iran and Hezbollah, the raid represents a significant setback. The destruction of the Deep Layer facility not only disrupts missile production but also exposes the vulnerabilities in Iran’s regional infrastructure. Hezbollah, which heavily relies on Iranian-supplied weaponry, now faces a logistical and operational gap in its missile capabilities.
While Operation Many Ways dealt a decisive blow to Iranian ambitions in Syria, it also raises questions about potential retaliation. Analysts caution that Iran and its proxies may attempt to rebuild similar facilities elsewhere or launch retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets.
However, Israeli officials remain resolute. The success of this operation sends an unambiguous message: Israel will not tolerate the establishment of advanced weapons manufacturing facilities that threaten its national security.
Operation Many Ways stands as a testament to Israel’s technological superiority, intelligence precision, and the unparalleled skill of its special forces. It underscores the lengths to which the Israeli Defense Forces will go to ensure the security of their nation and to prevent existential threats from taking root.
