A satellite photo showing last weekend’s alleged Israeli strike on a purported Iranian military base that was under construction in Syria. Photo: ImageSat International.

JNS.org – Israeli satellite photos published on Monday show the destruction of several buildings at a purported Iranian military base that was under construction in Syria. The buildings were allegedly hit by an Israeli airstrike last weekend.

The images, which were taken by the Israeli satellite company ImageSat International, apparently show the destruction of seven buildings at the base located near the Syrian city of Al-Kiswa, just 31 miles from the Israeli border in the Golan Heights. The structures that were damaged appear to be barracks and garages.

In a BBC report that revealed the Iranian base’s presence in November, satellite images showed the construction of some two dozen new structures in the area that are likely used for housing soldiers and vehicles. Analysts estimate that up to 500 troops could be housed in those facilities.

Several Arab media reports last weekend suggested that the strike purportedly killed 12 Iranian military personnel.

Although he did not confirm the alleged strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Saturday reiterated Israel’s oft-stated position that the Jewish state will not allow Iran to maintain a military presence in Syria.

“We will not allow a regime hell-bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state to acquire nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said. “We will not allow that regime to entrench itself militarily in Syria, as it seeks to do, for the express purpose of eradicating our state.”