The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has reportedly destroyed the entire fleet of operational MiG-29 fighter jets belonging to the Syrian Arab Air Force during recent airstrikes on Syrian air bases.
The strikes targeted the Khalkhalah Air Base in the Suwayda Governorate, as well as other critical installations.
According to reports, all airworthy MiG-29 interceptors stationed at Al-Suwayda West Air Base were eliminated in the attacks. This operation marks a decisive escalation in Israel’s efforts to neutralize Syrian military capabilities amid heightened regional tensions.
The strikes focused on Khalkhalah Air Base, a key facility for the Syrian Air Force, known for housing advanced fighter jets and military equipment. While the full extent of the damage has yet to be confirmed, preliminary assessments indicate that Israel’s operation has left the Syrian Air Force with no operational MiG-29 aircraft.
Several MiG-29s of the Syrian Air Force were claimed to have been destroyed yesterday, as a result of Strikes by the Israeli Air Force on Khalkhalah Air Base in the Suwayda Governorate. pic.twitter.com/T7sWOXQPwU
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 9, 2024
Israel has consistently stated that its air operations in Syria aim to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile actors and to counter threats posed by Iran’s military presence in the region. The destruction of Syria’s MiG-29 fleet is expected to further degrade the country’s air defense capabilities.
Neither the Israeli nor Syrian governments have officially commented on the strikes. However, analysts suggest that the elimination of the MiG-29 fleet significantly alters the regional balance of air power.