On the night of December 9, the Israeli Navy launched a strike on warships belonging to Syria’s former regime, sinking them in the port of Latakia.
The IDF has not released a detailed statement regarding the strikes, but the military sources spoke to the Israeli media confirmed that the Navy conducted a major operation on Monday night to eliminate the former regime’s naval fleet. The operation is part of a broader campaign to neutralize military assets and prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile forces.
According to media reports citing official statements, following the collapse of the regime, Israel launched efforts to dismantle regime weapons sites to prevent them from being seized by hostile forces. This came amidst the chaotic takeover by rebel groups, many of which were previously linked to al-Qaeda and other jihadist organizations.
Photographs from the port of Latakia reveal sunken Osa-class (Project 205) missile boats, with P-15M Termit (SS-N-2C Styx) launchers visibly protruding above the water’s surface. While official statements have not disclosed the number of Israeli warships involved or the exact count of Syrian vessels destroyed, some Israeli officials have indicated that all strategic weapons were successfully eliminated during the recent raids.
The Osa-class missile boat is a high-speed naval vessel developed by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. According to open sources, the Syrian Navy operated approximately 16 OSA-class missile boats, with at least half being the upgraded OSA II variant.
The primary armament of the OSA-class features four P-15 (SS-N-2 Styx) anti-ship missilesas the main weapon. For air defense, the boats are fitted with two AK-230 turrets, each armed with twin 30mm autocannons. The vessels are powered by three diesel engines, each driving its own shaft, providing a high power-to-weight ratio and enabling a maximum speed of 39 knots.
The Osa II variant features enhancements such as more powerful engines, an increased top speed, and tube-shaped missile launchers designed for the improved P-15U missiles, offering better operational capabilities and firepower.